MOTORISTS will soon have to pay just £1 to park all day in a Liskeard car park.

From Monday, December 16, drivers using Rapsons car park, off Station Road, will benefit from a three-month trial being run by Cornwall Council. The car parking charge is being reduced by £1.50 per day, meaning substantial savings for regular users.

Because of its location slightly out of the town centre, Rapsons is mainly viewed as a car park for people who travel to work in the town. The current charge has been seen by many motorists as too expensive and the result has been more on-street parking by commuters in residential areas.

Cornwall Councillor Sally Hawken was able to argue the case for the trial with the backing of 500 responses to a parking consultation organised by the town council, surveys undertaken by the Portas town team and talks with local businesses.

Cllr Hawken said: 'I have been working hard behind the scenes to get more changes in line with local needs. It's great that we've got the chance to trial £1 a day in Rapsons.

'We've been told that it's "use it or lose it" so, if people want to see this as a permanent feature, I'd strongly urge them to try out parking in Rapsons from December 16.'

Town mayor Sue Pike said: 'By working together, we can make a variety of changes which will benefit people who visit, shop and work in the town.'