Cornwall Council Parking Criticized Amidst Costly Car Park System Overhauls

People are upset with Cornwall Council’s car park changes. The council switched from paying-on-exit to pay-and-display. Some think the switch is wasteful and not well-planned.

The council spent £18,000 to change machines in three car parks after just five years. Now, they will spend more at six other car parks, upsetting taxpayers a lot.

Last year, Truro car parks, including Garras Wharf, Moorfield, and Old Bridge Street, got pay-and-display systems. A request showed the new machines cost £18,309.96. The council did not say how much the old systems cost or reveal removal costs, suggesting the total spending might be much higher than we know.

The council will remove pay-on-exit systems from six more car parks by April, making them pay-and-display like most others.

Some readers commented on the changes, with one person believing they spend as much as possible now. Another joked that the council always gives great value, while someone questioned who will check tickets at night.

One person suggested local councils should run car parks, and others think the council profits from unfair tickets. One person said the council is wasting public funds, while another feels there is no accountability for spending.

Someone suggested the council is preparing to sell the car parks. A person thinks technology is advancing and that apps are better than old barrier systems.

Another person disagreed about apps, citing unreliable internet in Looe. The app user replied most apps offer both options and highlighted benefits like remote time extensions and alerts.