Cornwall Council said Truro’s Moorfield car park, the upper levels of which were closed last week following an inspection, had reached the end of its “design life” and that repair work to extend its life was unlikely to be possible or financially viable.
The ground floor and outer sections of the 680-space Calenick Street car park, as well as the dedicated permit holder parking area, are still open, but the multi-storey sections (decks four to nine) were closed suddenly on Tuesday 21 May.
The local authority responded to criticism from former Truro mayor Bert Biscoe that it had been known “for some considerable time that the structural condition of a multi-storey building needs to be carefully managed”.
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A council spokesman said: “Safety is paramount and our aim has been to keep the car park open for as long as it is safe to do so. We do not take any decision that will affect the capacity of the car park lightly and so must be based on reliable evidence.
“The car park was built in the 1970s and, like similar structures across the country, is reaching the end of its useful life. Professional structural advice has recently been sought and the frequency of inspections has recently increased.
“Given that the structure has reached the end of its design life and that construction standards have changed since the car park was built, it is unlikely that repair work to extend its life indefinitely would be possible and financially viable. Last week’s decision to close the upper floors was based from the last check.
“We are in the process of reviewing whether measures can be put in place in the short term to reopen some sections. In the meantime we are also reviewing parking and travel options for the city.”
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There has been increased pressure on parking in the town since Carrick House and Viaduct car parks were demolished last year to make way for the Pydar development, so the sudden loss of most of Moorfield’s parking spaces has shocked Truro residents and visitors.
It also shocked former Cornwall councilor Bert Biscoe, who is urging Truro City Council to demand a mitigation plan from Cornwall Council to replace lost parking capacity at Moorfield, as well as remove the £31.50 charge if people park in a spot for more than three clock. the city’s Old Bridge Street car park and to provide adequate parking in the city center for visiting coaches.
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In his letter to the current mayor, Carol Swain, he said: “I am writing to ask you to write as strongly as possible to the leader and chief executive of Cornwall Council demanding that a mitigation plan be put in place in Cornwall. Council spending, replace lost capacity, remove punitive penalty tariffs and support the city in combating the brand of negative reporting caused by its recent actions We should not accept attempts to placate us with talk of diverting people to park and ride. Truro relies on a flexible mix of service delivery.
“I believe that Cornwall Council needs to engage with Truro… and ensure that they recognize the need for fair and adequate parking for both cars and buses and will work swiftly to restore Moorfield to full capacity, remove the Old Bridge fine. Street and charge hourly between 9am and 6pm and will turn around the current situation in the Fairmantle bus park so we can offer our visitor-customers a convenient, safe and efficient service.”
The council highlighted that parking is available at Truro Park and Ride, which has a total of 2,588 spaces split between the Langarth and Tregurra sites with day tickets costing £2.40. Regular users can take advantage of discounts through multi-day tickets.
A list of Cornwall Council’s alternative car parks in the area can be found here.