CORNWALL Council has come in for heavy criticism for imposing a 24-hour payment of £31.50 on those who overshoots the three-hour limit in Old Bridge Street’s short-stay car park.

Business owners in nearby St Mary’s Mews are particularly angry.

Spencer Morris of Gallery No 2 said: “Soon Truro will just be hairdressers and coffee shops. All the independent businesses will fold. It used to be a destination city, but not anymore.”

Paul Gilbert, who runs coffee shop Kaku Chi, said the future of his business is on a knife edge following a poor winter. He is dependent on a busy summer and feels the situation with the car park – and the increased cost at other council car parks across Truro – “goes against helping local businesses”.

He added: “It’s obviously putting people off parking there now as there are more than 20 empty car parking spaces at the moment. There would be a fight to get in this time last year.”

Margaret Georgiou of Brocante Revival is one of many to request a parking permit. She doesn’t pull any punches when she says: “It’s appalling. The council doesn’t care about Truro.

“It’s cheaper to park in car parks at Portobello Road and Spitalfields in London than it is here. A lady parked for a charity event in the cathedral and went over the three hours without realising. She went completely ballistic.”

That motorist, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted us after writing to the council to complain about the £31.50 charge.

“I supported five businesses and a local charity, only to be met with this ridiculous charge,” she said. “It’s daylight robbery – I’m furious. It’s obviously a money-making ploy by the council.”

Alun Jones, manager of Truro Business Improvement District (BID), said he was aware of and fully understood local business concerns. He claimed the council’s concern was city workers using the site all day and limiting visitor parking spaces.

“As always, we urge Cornwall Council to consider the parking pricing structure - it needs to be reasonable and proportionate,” he said.

A council spokesperson said extra signs had been erected in the car park to remind motorists of the three-hour limit and the new charge, which will only apply to motorists who stay in longer than three hours between 9am and 6pm.

“From 6pm to midnight motorists can stay for an unlimited time and only be charged the evening tariff of £2.10,” they added. “Motorists can park in the car park from midnight to 9am for free.”

Truro’s long-stay car parks include Garras Wharf, Moorfield, Edward Street and Moresk. Cornwall residents can park for less in a specified car park by purchasing a Resident Season Ticket.

Recent changes to the JustPark ‘multi-use’ sessions also bring down the cost for people who regularly park in council car parks.