DRIVERS have complained that they are being hit hard in the pocket after the cost of using their local car parks doubled overnight.
Residents have slammed the move as “greedy” but the council has blamed the app it partners with.
The price of a multi-use permit across Cornwall Council-owned car parks has been bumped up, much to locals’ dismay.
The ticket allows motorists to pre-load cash onto it and then park at discounted rates.
It’s designed for regular commuters and means they don’t have to pay for a fresh permit every day.
Now, though, the decision has been taken to increase the minimum upfront deposit from £25 to £50.
One regular user of the scheme told Cornwall Live: “Fifty quid in one go is just too much for some people, especially those on low wages and in the end, they will be made to pay much more to park as advanced tickets worked out roughly a quarter of the price of a regular day ticket.
“In a time of a cost of living crisis, this initial pay-out screams greed.”
However, the council has not yet given a reason for the increase and has instead blamed JustPark, the app which jointly runs the programme.
A spokesperson said: “The minimum spend for the JustPark wallet is a figure set by the operator, not Cornwall Council.
“The new £50 minimum spend was introduced in May after we made changes to the JustPark wallet enabling users to use their parking sessions across the majority of our long stay Council car parks, rather than in only one specified car park.
“Money added to the JustPark wallet can be used over a two-year period.
“The JustPark wallet aims to bring down the cost of parking for residents who regularly park in Cornwall Council car parks.
“Previously, JustPark users could ‘batch buy’ parking sessions in advance which were then valid for use in only one specified car park.
“The minimum spend for the JustPark wallet was agreed by Cornwall Council parking services, following a public consultation, and was set at the higher rate to ensure flexibility and savings for residents.”
JustPark declined to comment.
It comes after a lawyer revealed a 29p trick that could save you £1,000 when you stop off in car parks.
