Parking charges in Cornwall Council run car parks have been frozen.

Cornwall Council’s cabinet has decided to put a delay on plans after its proposals to change prices from April met with a storm of protest. 

Instead, the cost of parking will remain the same as it has for the previous two years.

Councillor Bert Biscoe, cabinet member for transport, said: @We want to ensure that the Council’s car parks perform their primary function, which is to manage traffic in our towns and resorts. 

’They are also important to the trading environment of towns and resorts, and pricing is a key element which affects confidence and footfall.

’It’s not an easy balance between supporting services like highways maintenance and supporting local economies.

’I am concerned about knock-on effects in future years but, in agreement with cabinet colleagues, we feel it is good business for towns and the Council to hold prices for a third year.’

Further discussions will take place locally in September and October about of car park charges which will come into force in April 2018.  

The council says this timescale will enable councillors who are elected to Cornwall Council and town and parish councils in May, to be part of the discussions and to consider future policy.

The council has 254 car parks - 140 of which require users to pay to park in the summer and 109 in the winter. The remaining car parks are either free or ‘reserved space’ car parks.