Free parking at 4pm has returned to two Truro car parks

Edward Street (TR1 3AJ), which has 134 spaces, and Moresk, Oakway (TR1 1DW), which has 115 spaces, will now be free to use from 4pm daily.

The move has been welcomed by Truro BID, several Truro City Councillors and the Town Clerk, all of whom have been campaigning for the return of free parking to support the late‑afternoon and evening economy.

Free evening parking was removed in April 2023 when Cornwall Council introduced charges after 4pm in Truro.

Councillor Steven Webb (left) and Councillor Rob Nolan (right) at the Edward Street Car Park in Truro (Image: Cornwall Council)

Since November 2024, Truro BID and Truro City Council have been meeting with Cornwall Council to raise concerns about parking capacity and cost. Truro BID also secured support from more than 125 businesses, via letters and emails, calling for the reinstatement of free evening parking.

Truro City and Cornwall Councillors Rob Nolan and Steven Webb have been instrumental in the change, and were onsite at the two car parks from 4pm on Friday, April 10, speaking with residents and raising awareness of the new arrangements.

Alun Jones, Truro BID Manager, said: “Truro BID, on behalf of the City Centre Businesses, would like to thank Cornwall Council for acknowledging our ongoing concerns regarding parking capacity and cost.

“We’re optimistic that partial free parking after 4pm will boost later‑afternoon retail and professional services customer visits and support the hospitality sector during the evenings.

“Reinstating two of Truro’s car parks with free parking after 4pm is a positive start. We look forward to continuing working together, alongside Truro City Council, to find further improvements to Truro’s parking capacity and cost.”

David Rodda, Town Clerk at Truro City Council, added: “Truro City Council welcomes this news as 41 per cent of respondents to our recent resident survey indicated that they would like to see easier and cheaper parking in Truro.

"Twenty‑two per cent also identified attracting visitors and encouraging high street vitality as a key priority, and therefore we are pleased that Cornwall Council have listened to our concerns.

“We hope that this change will demonstrate how free parking can help to facilitate increased footfall on the high street, whilst also reducing the pressure of visitor parking in our residential areas.”

However, the change applies only to Edward Street and Moresk. All other Cornwall Council car parks in Truro will continue to charge after 4pm.

To find out more about Cornwall Council’s car parks, go to www.cornwall.gov.uk/parking