Upset as main part of city's biggest council car park closed over 'concerns'

Truro’s biggest council car park was closed last night following “concerns” discovered during an inspection.

The multi-storey levels (decks four to nine) of Moorfield car park in the centre of the city are now closed to visitors.

Cornwall Council has said that the ground floor and outside sections, as well as the parking area for reserved permit holders, remain open.

The shock closure of the Calenick Street car park – which has over 680 spaces in all – will add to the woes of people parking in the city following the loss of the Viaduct and Carrick House car parks, which were demolished to make way for the huge Pydar development.

It means there are now only three long stay council-run car parks in the city centre, at Edward Street, Garras Wharf and Moresk, and a short stay car park on Old Bridge Street, which has recently added a £31.50 tariff if you go over three hours. However, there are also the park and ride car parks on the outskirts of Truro at Tregurra and Langarth.

Other car parks include Lemon Quay, High Cross, Tabernacle Street, City Road and the railway station.

The council’s full statement on Tuesday evening reads: “The multi-storey section of Moorfield Car Park in Truro will close from this evening (Tuesday, May 21) following concerns highlighted during a routine inspection of the structure. The ground floor and outside sections, as well as the parking area for reserved permit holders, remains open.”

More than 100 people have commented on Cornwall Council’s announcement of Moorfield’s closure on Facebook with many questioning how it’s safe to park on the ground floor if there are concerns with the levels above.

There are also concerns about the loss of another car park in the city.

One person wrote: “Wow. How long until this will be rectified? Truro is an already dying city centre, we need to do everything we can to bring people in to the city. To save our jobs and bring money in to our local economy.”

Another responded: “Final nail in the coffin for Truro and its retail businesses, Viaduct gone and now Moorfield, almost impossible to park in Truro anymore Cornwall Council."

We have contacted the council to ask how long the upper levels are likely to be closed and for a response to people’s fears about parking on the ground floor.