‘Parking is already a huge problem’ after Truro Moorfield’s car park partially closes

Cornwall residents expressed their shock in our comments section after Cornwall Council recently announced that the upper levels of Truro’s Moorfield car park, which were closed last week, had reached the end of their “design life”. The council said any remedial work to extend their life was unlikely to be feasible or cost-effective.

While the multi-story sections (decks four through nine) remain closed, the ground floor and exterior portions of the 680-space Calenick Street car park, along with the designated permit holder parking area, are still operational. The closure of the upper floors occurred suddenly on Tuesday, May 21.

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A council spokesman said: “Safety is paramount and our aim was to keep the car park open for as long as possible while it was safe to do so. Any decision affecting parking capacity is not taken lightly and therefore. this must be based on solid evidence.

Commentary Baggyboatee is pleased with the decision: “Radiate it to the ground and you only have a decent single level car park. Saves it from becoming an eyesore in town for the next twenty years like the old Somerfield shop. A user called Trago agrees: “Put council houses and high rise blocks on it to help facilitate much needed social housing in the city.”

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Reader Jonah1156 writes: “Simple. Parking in Truro is more expensive unless there is a blue badge so regular drivers have to use Park and ride .” Mdurman says: “Does Cornwall Council really care about Truro? Shopkeepers are already struggling with increased rent. The council has decided that visitors arriving by coach will not be treated.”

Chuffingr8 writes: “City centers are dying and the lack of parking isn’t going to help matters.” MikeHart believes there needs to be an alternative to closure: “There is a lot of money available to fix this or if necessary rebuild and improve it. Think of all the parking fees you’ve paid over the years. That’s where the money is.”

RuddyIncomer says: “What happened when we built ugly buildings designed to last only 50 years?” Yerboy agrees: “Victorian buildings are still standing and in full use. Maybe we should look at their methods. What will all these thousands of wooden boxes look like in 50 years? Will they say the foundations have reached the end of their design life?”

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Further Facebook Jane Bernal says: “Much better public transport from the villages should have been developed before even thinking about closing the car park. We want more people to use our town centre. Right now, if they can’t come in cars, more will stay away. In the long term, yes, we want more of these people to be able to get to other modes of transportation, but establish those first.”

Vix Manhire suggests: “Park and ride is much cheaper.” Marie Clark disagrees: “Park and Ride is not accessible to many people and it is not right now for those who cannot use multi-ticketing on a smartphone due to lack of an appropriate device or disability. Closing the car park and not urgently replacing it with a new multi-storey car park removes close parking options for half of the city centre, further limiting options for certain groups of people. It’s so much easier to shop outside of Truro, even if you live in the city.”

Julia K Pearce says: “This is pretty bad for Truro, parking is already a huge problem. I live between the two parks and walks so that’s not an option for me. The city center is in decline, such a shame. I feel for all independent business owners.”

Sophie Marie is also concerned: “Parking is already a nightmare for us local businesses after losing the other large car park. We can’t afford to lose another one!” Sally Hosking agrees: “Instead of making Truro more inviting, the council is doing everything it can to discourage us from shopping in the town and put money back into our local businesses.”

What do you think of this decision? Do you think Truro needs more parking? Tell us what you think in our comments section.