Since Cornwall Council introduced new charges at Beach Road car park in Porthtowan, St Agnes Parish Council has been listening to concerns raised by residents, businesses and visitors.
The car park is owned and managed by Cornwall Council, which sets the charges. While the Parish Council cannot change them, we can make sure local concerns are heard and work with Cornwall Council to explore practical solutions.
On 7 August, our Parish Clerk and Deputy Clerk met with Cornwall Council’s Strategic Parking Manager, together with our local Cornwall Councillor, Pete Mitchell. It was a positive and constructive meeting, and work has continued since then.
What is being considered?
Cornwall Council is collecting parking data until the end of August and will consider possible options during September. Although a general reduction in all charges is considered unlikely, Cornwall Council is willing to look at options.
There has also been positive progress with JustPark. Poor mobile connectivity has previously been a problem at the car park. However, following the Parish Council’s installation of Starlink at the Porthtowan toilets, including free public Wi-Fi, Cornwall Council has tested the signal and confirmed that it is adequate. Cornwall Council has commissioned JustPark to add Beach Road Car Park to the Wallet scheme as soon as possible.
The JustPark Wallet is designed for people who park regularly but do not necessarily need a season ticket. Users preload a minimum of £35 into the JustPark app, and the credit can then be used over two years to buy discounted daily parking sessions at participating Cornwall Council car parks, at rates of approximately £2.02–£2.89 per day.
For comparison, the current summer charges at Beach Road, Porthtowan are £2.50 for one hour, £5.10 for two hours, £7.50 for four hours and £11.50 for 24 hours. At a car park where the £2.89 Wallet rate applies, a full day which would otherwise cost £11.50 represents a saving of around 75%, and an initial £35 Wallet could fund approximately 12 days’ parking.
One, three and seven-month resident season tickets are also available. A one-month ticket has been confirmed at £49.92 and may offer better value for people parking every working day, while the JustPark Wallet provides greater flexibility for those parking less frequently.
The Parish Council will make information about these options easier to find on its website, including how to apply for resident parking permits and how to use the JustPark Wallet.
What happens next?
Cornwall Council will prepare possible options during September and meet again with representatives of the Parish Council on 29 September.
Cornwall Council plans to hold a statutory consultation in October, which the Parish Council will publicise so that residents and businesses can have their say.
Cornwall Council currently aims to decide any changes in January, for implementation from April 2027.
For more information about resident parking permits, the JustPark Wallet and parking consultations, please visit the Parish Council’s Car Parks webpage.
https://stagnes-pc.gov.uk/service/car-parks/
We know the new charges have caused concern and we have listened. We are encouraged by the constructive discussions and the practical progress made so far. We will continue working positively with Cornwall Council to represent Porthtowan and keep our community informed.
Cllrs Moira Wood and Ruth Pudney