Parking Orders

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What are Parking Orders?

Parking Orders (POs) are legal documents that enable Cornwall Council, as the local highway authority, to manage our car parks across Cornwall. They set out the specifications of each car park, and legally define:

  • Parking place name
  • The tariff we will charge
  • The types of vehicles and activities allowed within the car park
  • The maximum time you can park for
  • Prohibition of vehicles (which vehicles are not allowed to use the car park)
  • Weight restrictions for vehicles
  • Any permits or discounted products we sell

If the information is not contained within the PO, we cannot charge or enforce against it.

Why is a Parking Order needed?

Car parks play a vital role in the management of traffic across Cornwall. Without effective management and enforcement, underpinned by a legal Parking Order, motorists in Cornwall would find it much harder to find a place to park. Well run car parks help us manage congestion especially in town centres and at popular tourist attractions. A Parking Order has the same legal standing as an On-Street Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). It has a similar complex and detailed process which must be strictly followed.

The Parking Order Process

To introduce a Parking Order, we must follow the legal process outlined in the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. This process is fairly complex. As well as the publicly facing statutory consultation and decision, it includes a lot of detailed background work.

Formal Consultations

The public can provide feedback during the formal consultation phase of a Parking Order. Proposed changes will be announced:

  • in local newspapers
  • within affected car parks
  • on the Travel and Transportation section of Let's Talk Cornwall webpages.

This process runs for a period of 21 days and often attracts a variety of opinions from the community.

All comments must be considered before a Parking Order can be made operational and implemented. If significant changes arise after the consultation, they will also be shared with the public for additional comments, with a minimum of 21 days for further comments.

Implementation and Enforcement

Once the legal process is finalised, and a decision is made, the council’s legal team will seal the order, officially implementing the contents. Once this has taken place, the council will enforce parking rules based on the Traffic Management Act 2004. The order will also contain elements which are a criminal offence and must be enforced via legal action.

Your Opinion Matters

Public opinion plays a key part in shaping Parking Orders. Your insights are crucial for ensuring that traffic management in Cornwall meets the needs and concerns of all users. We welcome everyone's feedback. However, when making our decision we must consider feedback, both in support and opposition, on the grounds of traffic management.

What are Parking Orders?

Parking Orders (POs) are legal documents that enable Cornwall Council, as the local highway authority, to manage our car parks across Cornwall. They set out the specifications of each car park, and legally define:

  • Parking place name
  • The tariff we will charge
  • The types of vehicles and activities allowed within the car park
  • The maximum time you can park for
  • Prohibition of vehicles (which vehicles are not allowed to use the car park)
  • Weight restrictions for vehicles
  • Any permits or discounted products we sell

If the information is not contained within the PO, we cannot charge or enforce against it.

Why is a Parking Order needed?

Car parks play a vital role in the management of traffic across Cornwall. Without effective management and enforcement, underpinned by a legal Parking Order, motorists in Cornwall would find it much harder to find a place to park. Well run car parks help us manage congestion especially in town centres and at popular tourist attractions. A Parking Order has the same legal standing as an On-Street Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). It has a similar complex and detailed process which must be strictly followed.

The Parking Order Process

To introduce a Parking Order, we must follow the legal process outlined in the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. This process is fairly complex. As well as the publicly facing statutory consultation and decision, it includes a lot of detailed background work.

Formal Consultations

The public can provide feedback during the formal consultation phase of a Parking Order. Proposed changes will be announced:

  • in local newspapers
  • within affected car parks
  • on the Travel and Transportation section of Let's Talk Cornwall webpages.

This process runs for a period of 21 days and often attracts a variety of opinions from the community.

All comments must be considered before a Parking Order can be made operational and implemented. If significant changes arise after the consultation, they will also be shared with the public for additional comments, with a minimum of 21 days for further comments.

Implementation and Enforcement

Once the legal process is finalised, and a decision is made, the council’s legal team will seal the order, officially implementing the contents. Once this has taken place, the council will enforce parking rules based on the Traffic Management Act 2004. The order will also contain elements which are a criminal offence and must be enforced via legal action.

Your Opinion Matters

Public opinion plays a key part in shaping Parking Orders. Your insights are crucial for ensuring that traffic management in Cornwall meets the needs and concerns of all users. We welcome everyone's feedback. However, when making our decision we must consider feedback, both in support and opposition, on the grounds of traffic management.

Page published: 09 Dec 2025, 05:58 PM