What are we consulting on?

We are consulting on proposals to introduce a new system of on-street parking management at a number of locations in Truro.

The locations are currently subject to free, limited-waiting parking restrictions. Under the proposals, the existing free parking periods would be retained, but drivers would be required to obtain a parking session when they park. Drivers would then have the option to extend their stay by paying for additional parking time, up to the maximum stay permitted at that location.

There would be no charge for the initial free parking period.

Parking sessions could be obtained using:

• a parking app;
• by telephone; or
• a payment parking machine.

The proposed parking machines would accept card payments only and would not accept cash.

The proposed parking arrangements are:

How will the free parking period work?

Although the initial parking period will remain free of charge, drivers will still need to obtain a parking session when they park.

For example, at a location where the first two hours are free, a driver staying for up to two hours would obtain a free parking session and would pay nothing. If they wish to stay beyond the two-hour free period, they would be able to extend their session and pay the applicable charge.

The free parking session will record when the vehicle's parking period began. This will make it easier for Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) to establish whether a vehicle is parked in accordance with the restrictions.

Drivers will not be able to obtain two free sessions or two paid-for sessions consecutively. A two-hour no-return period will apply to all of the proposed parking bays.

Why are we doing this?

The proposals are intended to help manage parking and traffic movement within Truro.

Vehicles currently circulate around the town looking for available parking spaces. This can result in additional traffic movements and contribute to congestion, particularly where parking is in high demand.

The existing limited-waiting arrangements can also make enforcement more difficult. Where a vehicle is parked without payment, a Civil Enforcement Officer may need to make more than one visit, or observe the vehicle for a period of time, before it can be established that the vehicle has exceeded the permitted waiting period.

Introducing a requirement for drivers to obtain a parking session would allow parking compliance to be checked more efficiently. The existing free parking period would remain available, but the parking session would provide a clear record of when the vehicle arrived. This would allow Civil Enforcement Officers to establish compliance during a single visit.

The option to pay for a longer stay would also provide greater flexibility for people who need to park for longer than the existing free period.

Sunday parking

The proposals would also introduce Sunday operation at the town-centre locations currently restricted from Monday to Saturday only.

Castle Street, Little Castle Street, River Street, Kenwyn Street, Lemon Street and Tabernacle Street would therefore operate Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm.

The proposed parking restrictions at Chapel Hill, Hendra Road, St George's Road and Station Road would remain Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm.

Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge holders would be exempt from the proposed parking charges and restrictions.

This means there would be no change to the current unrestricted parking arrangements for Blue Badge holders.

Loading

Loading would continue to be permitted within the affected parking bays, provided the loading activity can be observed and verified by a Civil Enforcement Officer.

Protecting Truro's historic character

Truro is a conservation area, and the design of the proposed parking arrangements has been developed with the support of the Council's Conservation Officer.

We recognise the importance of protecting the historic character of the city and have sought to minimise the visual and physical impact of the proposals.

At some locations, a small number of granite paving slabs forming part of the existing footway will need to be cut or removed to accommodate the necessary equipment. This will be kept to an absolute minimum.

On River Street, two additional footway build-outs are proposed to provide suitable locations for the parking machines.

These build-outs will be constructed using specially sourced granite kerbs to complement the existing materials and character of the street. The build-outs will be infilled using reclaimed granite setts that have previously been removed from elsewhere in Truro and are currently surplus to requirements.

The use of reclaimed materials will help the new works integrate with the existing streetscape while making use of materials already available within the city.

Find out more!

To view details of the proposals, please view the Site Notices section.

To view the legal Traffic Orders, please visit the Appyway Platform (links located within the Traffic Orders section).

For our frequently asked questions, please view the FAQs section.

Next steps

The consultation will run until 2 October 2026.

Following the consultation, all representations received will be considered before a decision is made on whether to proceed with the proposals.

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