SOME of Launceston’s free car parks could start charging, after Cornwall Council attempts to offload 2,000 of its assets.

Cornwall Council has named 25 car parks which could soon begin charging their users if they are to be run by new management.

The council’s economic growth scrutiny committee will decide whether to endorse the disposal of the car parks at a meeting next Tuesday (December 10). In March, the council’s Conservative cabinet endorsed a proposal for Cornwall Council to decentralise a number of its environment, heritage and other land-based assets, ten per cent of which are car parks. It hopes to save £2-million by the end of 2026 by doing this.

The car parks are either currently free all year or during the winter months.

Of the 25 car parks named, three are based in Launceston, these being Castle Street, the Pannier Market, the Walkhouse car parks.

If the decision is endorsed, the parking orders would then go through a round of public engagement, including notices in local newspapers and signs in the car parks. The results of his consultation would be carefully considered before any final decision is made to amend the parking orders and proceed with the transfer of the car parks.

Councillors raised concerns at an economic growth scrutiny meeting in September that decentralisation could lead to car parks being managed by “unpleasant” enforcement companies.

The council currently owns 231 car parks, 48 per cent of which are classed as town centre facilities, a further 25 per cent coastal and rural car parks make up just eight per cent. Cornwall Council receives around £300,000 a year from car park enforcement income, while paid income from parking is roughly around £18-million a year.

Though a decision has not yet been made, drivers could expect to start paying more to park.