CITY business and council leaders say Cornwall Council’s decision to increase car park tariffs by six per cent is likely to “disproportionately impact” Cornwall’s capital.

Both Truro City Council and Truro Business Improvement District (BID) have criticised the parking charge increase in no uncertain terms.

It was announced last week that Cllr Dan Rogerson, Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat cabinet member for transport, had ratified the price hike in line with inflation. Conservative group leader Cllr Connor Donnithorne, who held the transport role in the last administration, questioned a lack of consultation on the matter.

Cllr Donnithorne told a meeting of the full council on Tuesday [September 16]: “The budget this administration inherited froze parking charges for the whole of 2025. At a time when we should support our town centres and high streets, when there is a fully funded decision to freeze parking charges in the budget, it was unnecessary to do anything other than that.”

In a statement, a “disappointed” city council said: “As the only location in Cornwall without a tiered parking charge, this decision has the potential to disproportionately impact Truro’s high-street vitality and night-time economy as it will apply 24 hours a day.

“Our recent resident survey identified that 41 per cent of respondents felt cheaper and easier parking would help to improve our city centre, and 32 per cent felt parking and transport were key areas that require improvement.

“Discussions with businesses also demonstrate great concern about their ongoing viability given the reduction in car parking capacity in recent years and the increase in costs. The park and ride service does work well, but as it does not operate after 7pm and or on a Sunday, it is not a comprehensive alternative.

“The availability of car parking capacity in the centre of the city remains an important contributor to our economy.”

Truro BID manager Alun Jones said his members was “very concerned” about the increase. “Whilst we appreciate Cornwall Council faces its own financial pressures, so do the general public who pay for car parking and, just as importantly, the local businesses of all sectors rely on their customers to visit Truro in person to support the viability of their business,” he said.

“Parking charges have always been an emotive topic. However, additional pricing increases may well put town centres at a further disadvantage to the competition of online shopping and out-of-town retail parks.”

In partnership with Truro MP Jayne Kirkham, the BID and city council have made representations to Cornwall Council with a further meeting scheduled for the end of September. Included in its discussions will be the reintroduction of free parking after 4pm, which applies in many towns in Cornwall, as well as extended opening hours for the park and ride.

Cllr Rogerson said fellow LibDem Truro councillors Steven Webb and Rob Nolan and independent councillor Loic Rich had all mentioned their parking concerns to him. “I’m very keen on local flexibility,” he added.

The parking issue will also be debated at Truro City Council’s next full council meeting on September 29.