Most Cornwall Council-run car parks to go cashless

A number of council-run car parks across Cornwall will become cashless, the county's main council has confirmed.

People will not be able to pay by cash at a number of Cornwall Council-run car parks from 1 August, a move the authority said it believed would save about £80,000 a year.

It said drivers would continue to be able to pay for parking at payment machines using a debit or credit card, contactless payment or mobile phone.

The council said nearly 90% of transactions were made by card payments, through the JustPark app or the Buzzpay website. But it added cash payments would continue to be accepted in one car park in each community.

Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, said it cost about £100,000 a year to collect, transport and process cash from the 138 council car parks which accepted all payment options.

"This is money that could be far better spent on maintaining our car parks and wider highway network," he said.

He added: "Most pay by card, online or with their mobile phone, [but] about 12% pay by cash, which is why we'll be keeping that option in 43 car parks across Cornwall."

"We've reviewed cash usage levels, accessibility and location to ensure that drivers who want to pay by cash can continue to do so in each town, in Truro and at other locations where we have just the one car park."

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