Also being considered are new winter charges in others. Users of a popular car park in Helston have already started raising concerns at the move
06:00, 15 Jan 2026
Cornwall Council is yet again looking at changes to its car parks across the Duchy - including the possibility of charges being introduced at 13 car parks which are currently free.
The mooted changes would also see the introduction of winter charges at 11 car parks and the inclusion of motorhome charges at ten car parks.
A consultation process has started for the proposed amendments to the council's off-street parking order, but users of a particularly popular free car park in Helston have already started raising concerns about the possible introduction of tariffs.
The council stated: "These initiatives aim to ensure our parking assets are managed effectively and in alignment with wider traffic management objectives, including improving road safety, reducing congestion and supporting sustainable transport.
"Your feedback will help shape how parking is managed in your community, ensuring it meets the needs of local communities while supporting Cornwall’s environmental and economic goals."
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The proposed replacement parking order would also be make the following amendments
- vary the parking charges in all Cornwall Council chargeable car parks to increase charges either in line with inflation or specific amendments to support traffic management
- removal of the 2-3 hour tariff within all long stay car parks
- conversion of Tolcarne Road, Newquay to a long stay car park
- an increase to the price of ‘Reserved’ Parking Permits to bring the product in line with current market value
- conversion of Trengrouse Way, Helston to a long stay car park
- conversion of Cattle Market, Liskeard into a short stay car park
- removal of Broadsyard, Downderry from the order
- introduction of a motorhome prohibition to Commercial Road, Hayle
- reduction of the JustPark Wallet minimum spend to £35
- renaming of Tintagel Visitors Centre to Bossiney Road, Tintagel
Inclusion of motorhome charges in the following car parks
- Link Road, Padstow
- Watergate Bay
- Trenwith, St Ives
- Wheal Leisure, Perranporth
- Main, Fowey
- Marazion Station
- Gyllyngvase coach park, Falmouth
- Seaton Bridge
- Cattle Market Launceston
- Victoria Square, Bodmin
Introduction of the following car parks to the parking order
- Ponsadane, Penzance
- Gas Hill, Truro
- Wellington Road, St Dennis
- Clay Trails Nansladron, St Austell
- St Andrews Pond, Par
- Kit Hill, Callington
- Wenfordbridge, Bodmin
- Scarletts Well, Bodmin
- Poley’s Bridge, Bodmin
- Helland, Bodmin
- Grogley halt, Bodmin
- Tuckingmill Pavillion, Camborne
Introduction of winter charges to the following car parks
- Gyllyngvase, Falmouth
- Readymoney, Fowey
- The Beach, Seaton
- Watergate Bay
- Wheal Leisure, Perranporth
- Albany Road, Newquay
- Belmont Place, Newquay
- Dane Road, NewquayTregunnel, Newquay
- Par Beach, Par
- Reppers Coombe, St Agnes
Introduction of charges to the following car parks
- Fairground, Helston
- Hamleys Corner, Par
- Helland, Bodmin
- Howells Bridge
- Kit Hill, Callington
- Pensilva
- Poleys Bridge, Bodmin
- Scarletts Well, Bodmin
- St Andrews Pond, Par
- Tideford
- Viewing Point North, Widemouth
- Thanckes Park, Torpoint
- Wenfordbridge, Bodmin
Helston residents are already concerned about the possible loss of free parking at the Fairground car park.
A regular user of the facility told us: "This car park is the gateway to the boating lake, play park, café and the popular walking route from Helston to Porthleven and is used daily by families, dog walkers, elderly residents, people managing mental health and visitors who rely on being able to stay for long periods without worrying about the cost.
"Introducing charges here would effectively turn one of Helston’s only free, accessible outdoor spaces into a pay-to-enter amenity, pricing out low-income families and discouraging people from using a place that plays a major role in local wellbeing, social connection and physical health.
"Once a community car park becomes paid, it never returns to being free. This is not just a parking issue - it is about access to green space, fairness and the future of one of Helston’s most valued public areas."
Another resident said: "In a world that is trying to encourage time in nature, better mental health, better physical fitness, time away from screens, it would be an absolute scandal to start making money from this piece of land that it so important to Helston.The parkrun each Saturday alone would be hugely impacted."
Representations, whether against or in support, to the proposed order should be made in writing and received by February 4 to: Parking Services, PO Box 664, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 9DH, to parking@cornwall.gov.uk or via the questionnaire here.