Cornish parking fees cut

Good news from Cornwall - councillors are listening to local residents and shopkeepers and are planning to reduce the cost of parking in some council car parks. The chairman of Cornwall’s parking advisory panel has told Helston residents that he is recommending the reduction of council parking fees to just £1 for two hours.

‘It’s a huge step forward to help low paid drivers who have to work in the shops,’ said Cllr Andy Wallis. ‘I think this is good news for Helston, to encourage people back into the town and encourage people to park away from the streets, which can be quite congested.’

It will also be more attractive for tourists, who have long complained about the elevated parking fees they face on holiday in Cornwall. Such a positive change, however, stems from a disparity in parking fees with other Cornish towns.

At nearby St Just, council parking is free. ‘With free parking on offer,’ said a local, ‘it certainly encouraged me to spend more time in St Just round the shops as I was not clock watching for the car park.’ But that is set to come to an end, much to the annoyance of local residents. ‘This area is one of deprivation and the affect on the local population and businesses could be catastrophic,’ said one. There is the added factor that the land for the car park was given to the council on the condition that parking remain free.  Parking charges imposed on Penzance have already had a negative impact on several businesses.

‘There are currently a wide variety of charges in place for council owned car parks,’ says the council on its website, ‘and the aim of the changes is to ensure there is a fair and consistent charging policy across the whole of Cornwall.’

‘Parking is a very important issue which affects almost everyone in Cornwall and it is vital for both local residents and the viability of our towns and villages that we get it right,’ said Andy Wallis, after a major consultation with local residents and business people. Critics have said that parking in Cornwall can be as expensive as parking in London. ‘It is also important to remember that we have substantially increased the number of hours people can park free of charge,’ Wallis continued, ‘with charges in car parks in some of the smaller towns not coming into operation until after 9 am and ending at 4pm.’ Will this be enough to relieve the pressure on hard-pressed high street traders?

Tim Newark, Bath & South-West TaxPayers’ AllianceGood news from Cornwall - councillors are listening to local residents and shopkeepers and are planning to reduce the cost of parking in some council car parks. The chairman of Cornwall’s parking advisory panel has told Helston residents that he is recommending the reduction of council parking fees to just £1 for two hours.

‘It’s a huge step forward to help low paid drivers who have to work in the shops,’ said Cllr Andy Wallis. ‘I think this is good news for Helston, to encourage people back into the town and encourage people to park away from the streets, which can be quite congested.’

It will also be more attractive for tourists, who have long complained about the elevated parking fees they face on holiday in Cornwall. Such a positive change, however, stems from a disparity in parking fees with other Cornish towns.

At nearby St Just, council parking is free. ‘With free parking on offer,’ said a local, ‘it certainly encouraged me to spend more time in St Just round the shops as I was not clock watching for the car park.’ But that is set to come to an end, much to the annoyance of local residents. ‘This area is one of deprivation and the affect on the local population and businesses could be catastrophic,’ said one. There is the added factor that the land for the car park was given to the council on the condition that parking remain free.  Parking charges imposed on Penzance have already had a negative impact on several businesses.

‘There are currently a wide variety of charges in place for council owned car parks,’ says the council on its website, ‘and the aim of the changes is to ensure there is a fair and consistent charging policy across the whole of Cornwall.’

‘Parking is a very important issue which affects almost everyone in Cornwall and it is vital for both local residents and the viability of our towns and villages that we get it right,’ said Andy Wallis, after a major consultation with local residents and business people. Critics have said that parking in Cornwall can be as expensive as parking in London. ‘It is also important to remember that we have substantially increased the number of hours people can park free of charge,’ Wallis continued, ‘with charges in car parks in some of the smaller towns not coming into operation until after 9 am and ending at 4pm.’ Will this be enough to relieve the pressure on hard-pressed high street traders?

Tim Newark, Bath & South-West TaxPayers’ Alliance
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