Parking in Truro fury as council changes car parks' pay systems

Dozens of angry residents and visitors to Cornwall's capital city have been left fuming after being caught out by a major car parking change. Garras Wharf, Moorfield and Old Bridge Street car parks in Truro city centre all used to be pay on exit car parks with barriers regulating the flow of cars in and out.

However, the barriers were removed last week (November 11) with new signage suddenly appearing dotted about all three car parks warning motorists that they were now pay and display.

For days, not much happened and a majority of people probably did not even notice the change or thought the barriers had been removed to be repaired as they have been notorious for glitching.

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However on Saturday (November 16) enforcement of the new pay and display car parks started, leaving many drivers with a yellow surprise in the shape of a fine on their windscreen.

Taking to the Truro... Our City Facebook page, which has more than 7,000 members, many people have vented their anger at the change.

One resident said the pay on exit system worked well and also encouraged visitors to spend longer in the city as they were not worried about whether they have put enough cash in the machine.

She said: "It will put more people off staying in Truro. Well done Cornwall Council. Pay on leaving worked well and people often stayed longer and spent more. Not all of us can use the park and ride as it is at the wrong side of town for us."

One resident said: "For those who use Moorfield car park. New machines have been installed. It is pay when you arrive in the car park now rather than when you leave. Why spend so much money if they are not going to rectify the problem with that car park?" She added: "Nice of them to warn us. I thought they were just servicing the old ones. Hence the sign at the entrance."

Moorfield car park currently has a reduced capacity after the upper levels were closed by the local authority in May following a safety inspection. At the time Cornwall Council said Moorfield had come to the end of its "design life" and that remedial work to extend its life is unlikely to be possible or financially viable.

There was also controversy at the short stay car park off Old Bridge Street when Cornwall Council brought in new £31.50 charges for anyone parking for three hours or more as a way to stop motorists "clogging it up all day". Many traders at the time said the new exorbitant charges would destroy trade even more.

About the new pay and display charges, another resident added: "Why have they changed a fair system for a system that will fine people for a couple of minutes over?! This is really going to put shoppers off. Saturday is an absolute nightmare for parking as it is. People will just use out of town shopping areas with free parking or order online. I feel very sorry for the shops and restaurant owners of Truro."

Another angry local added: "Pay when you arrive??? Have we gone backwards. People don’t know how long they are going to be parked for. It makes no sense to pay when you arrive."

Another said: "It's a good way to fine you, if you overstay your time. It's all about the money." Another local summed it up: "Why change a system that works?"

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Cornwall Council defended the most recent decision saying there were several reasons behind the decision. A spokeswoman said: "We have removed the barrier controlled pay on exit system from the car parks in Truro where this system was in place - Garras Wharf, Moorfield and Old Bridge Street.

"This decision was for several reasons. There have been many instances of tailgating, where drivers seeking to avoid paying for their parking drove close to other vehicles as they exited the car park, often resulting in collisions. The barriers were frequently susceptible to technical and hardware failure, as well as vandalism and feedback from drivers."

The spokeswoman added: "Technology has developed since the pay on exit system was first introduced, with regular car park users able to benefit from discounts through JustPark multi-use sessions.

"The barriers were removed last week and the car parks changed back to the traditional pay and display method. Large signs were displayed at the entrance to the car parks (where barriers had previously been in place) and additional signs were installed at the pay machines and within the car parks.

"During that week we did not carry out any enforcement action for cars parked without the correct ticket – enforcement began again on Saturday."

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