Starting August 1, Cornwall Council will implement a significant change to parking payment methods that affects thousands of drivers, especially those visiting the region’s popular staycation spots. The majority of council-operated car parks in Cornwall will no longer accept cash payments.
Currently, nearly 90% of parking transactions are completed via card payments, mobile apps like JustPark, or the Buzzpay website. This shift aims to reduce costs by approximately £80,000 per year, allowing those funds to be redirected toward maintaining the county’s car parks and highway infrastructure.
From August 1, drivers will still be able to pay using debit or credit cards, contactless payments, or mobile phones at parking machines. However, cash payments will only be accepted at one designated car park in each community to accommodate the roughly 12% of parkers who prefer to pay with coins.
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Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, explained the reasoning behind the change: “Collecting, transporting, and processing cash from 138 council car parks currently costs around £100,000 annually. Those funds could be better used for the upkeep of car parks and the broader highway network.”
To ensure accessibility, the council has carefully reviewed cash usage patterns and locations, guaranteeing that at least one cash-accepting car park remains operational in every town, including Truro. This approach balances cost savings with driver convenience, reflecting Cornwall’s transition towards more modern and efficient payment methods.