St. Agnes Parish Council has been contacted by Porthtowan residents, businesses and councillors about the current parking charges and arrangements at Beach Road Car Park.
Concerns raised include the level of the charges, the introduction of evening charging, the cost of parking for people working in the village, the reliability of payment machines and the clarity of signage. Residents have also expressed concern about the possible effect on families, surfers, visitors and local businesses.
Porthtowan relies heavily on people choosing to visit the village, and the Parish Council understands the concern that parking costs and payment difficulties could affect both the community and the local economy.
Who is responsible for the car park?
Beach Road Car Park is owned and managed by Cornwall Council.
This means that St. Agnes Parish Council does not:
- set the parking charges;
- operate or maintain the payment machines;
- issue parking tickets;
- enforce the parking restrictions; or
- have the legal power to change the parking order.
Questions or reports about the operation of the car park itself can therefore also be raised directly with Cornwall Council’s Parking Team.
What can the Parish Council do?
Although the Parish Council cannot change the charges itself, it can represent the views of the community and ask Cornwall Council to consider practical improvements.
The matter has now been referred to the Parish Council’s Traffic & Road Safety Working Group. The group will gather evidence, consider the issues raised and identify constructive suggestions that can be put forward to Cornwall Council.
This may include:
- the reliability and accessibility of payment methods;
- clearer signs and information;
- whether existing season ticket and permit options meet local needs;
- evidence of the effect on residents, staff and businesses; and
- other practical measures that may help support the village.
Residents and businesses with relevant experiences, examples or evidence are encouraged to contact the Parish Council office so that these can be considered as part of the Working Group’s discussions.
Porthtowan Ward is represented on the Parish Council by Cllr Ruth Pudney and Cllr Moira Wood. Residents may also wish to raise their views directly with Cornwall Councillor Pete Mitchell.