Let's talk car parking in Cornwall!

A number one hot topic is parking! With so many different companies offering parking monitoring services, with different rules from every company, are we entering a new Wild West? 

Regularly, we receive emails asking ‘Where do I park?’ ‘How much is it?'  ‘Am I likely to get a fine?’ ‘What apps should I download?’ ‘Where can I park for free?’ Unfortunately, we have no easy answers to these questions. 

We have noticed a growing number of privately owned car parks adopting the ANPR monitoring services offered by countless companies. It has spread like a virus across our County, with even the smallest spaces now subject to parking rules and restrictions that leave us dumbfounded! 

Here are some examples in more detail.

Kynance Cove

The cove and car park are run by the National Trust and if you are lucky enough to have membership, you will not have to worry about paying to park your car. However, if, like us you do not have membership, you will need to pay.

Last time we visited, in 2024, we did not have enough coins and tried to pay by card. The machine was not accepting card or phone payment and we were then expected to pay using an app which we did not have. If anyone has been to Kynance Cove, you will be aware of the lack of signal, and trying to pay using an app became a bit of a farce. 

Being aware of the lack of signal, the National Trust asks you to stand by a magical post which is a small and discreet wooden post, about 40 yards from the car park, presumably with some tech wizardry buried in the ground that allows you to connect with the rest of the world. However, the rules for parking, the rates etc, are written on the parking metre, about 100yds away! My tip is to take a snapshot of the parking rules and rates before walking out of the car park towards the small magic post.

Take coins - loads of coins! Always have a pot of coins in your car - it will reduce your stress! 

North Quay, Hayle

As you pass through North Quay in Hayle towards the beach, looking for somewhere to park, you could be forgiven for thinking that an area of empty scrubland near Gilbert’s cafe is a good place to leave your car. 

A few years ago, this tiny patch of land was covered in cars, left by patrons going to eat in the nearby cafe, Lula’s as it was then. You would have been hard pressed to find a space!

However, these days it is actually an ANPR monitored car park - and empty! I think it is one of the tiniest pockets of land that we have come across where ANPR monitoring has been introduced by a private landowner. A quick glance told us that SIPPI manages this small area and also Harvey’s Towans a little further along. The rule that gets everyone here is that you have to pay using their app. They do not accept cash or phone payments. Only payments through their app.

St. Anthony Gardens, Penzance

Recently, we discovered a new horror to add to the already long list of ways that car park monitoring companies scam you out of your hard earned money. 

Recently, we made a video featuring the bizarre Cornish tourist attraction of Wherry Mine in Penzance. Part of the video featured a coffee and cake at the Jubilee Pool Cafe, close to St. Anthony Gardens car park, and the video concluded with the adorable mystery trail designed by the primary school children at Trythall School.

We actually filmed this video over two days. On the first day, we had to stop filming when Andrew was in so much pain he could barely walk. We returned two days later to complete the video and reluctantly used the St. Anthony Gardens car park. Knowing that it was ANPR monitored and fairly confident that we were au fait with the rules, we merrily spent about 3 hours filming. When we returned to the car, Andrew’s injury was troubling him, I paid for three hours, the machine issued a receipt and we thought nothing more of it. 

24 hours later we had a notification from our bank saying the payment was declined. We had enough money in the account to cover the £5 parking charge and were left confused as there was no more detail. When Andrew searched on Facebook, our error became apparent. The signs at the car park say ‘Pay on Exit’ which we assumed was when we drove out but actually means pay when you - as a person - exit on foot. Essentially, it is a ‘Pay and Display’ car park. 

We are awaiting the penalty notice. It has been over 14 days since we had the declined payment notification from our bank, which means the £60 early payment period has already elapsed and we are probably looking at a hefty £100 fine for making a lovely, feel-good video full of wonderful community spirit. What’s more Jubilee Pool was gifted the car park by the council to help with running costs and the irony is that we featured the lido and cafe in such a positive light in our little video!

In conclusion

Am I bitter? No, more sad and disappointed at the newest twists in the ways of scamming us out of our hard earned money. With poor customer services, and little regulation, it feels like the new Wild West. 

All I can say about the parking situation is, that as soon as you think you have it licked, something changes. The car parking management companies do not make enough from standard parking charges alone, so they continually find ways to change the rules or mislead, and sent out their abhorrent fines. It feels like a game of cat and mouse where we, the general public, always seem to be the mouse! 

After all, if the Anthony Gardens car park signs said ‘Pay & Display’ how many fines would be issued?