Mixed views on park and ride plan

The scheme has been proclaimed a success but visitors are not so sure

There is to be a new attempt to win government money for a permanent park and ride scheme to ease traffic congestion in Truro, Cornwall.

Highways officials said this year's summer service, which ends on Friday, has been a success.

They said it kept a total of 3,000 vehicles out of the city centre over a six-week period.

However the scheme has been criticised by some visitors, who claim few drivers appear to have been using it.

Jackie Davies, a visitor from Somerset, said he was amazed at how few people have used the facility at the Cattle Market.

People seem to still moan about getting caught coming into Truro John Tornabenee, shop owner

She said: "How many cars have we got here? A dozen if that - not many. That poor bus drivers have gone backwards and forwards with a empty bus which seems a waste."

John Tornabenee, who runs a shop in Truro's Lemon Street market, said he did not believe the scheme had eased congestion in the city's car parks.

He said: "The car parks seem to be just as full as they have been and the town seems to be as busy as ever.

"People seem to still moan about getting caught coming into Truro and obviously the school summer holidays are about to come to an end and the mornings and evenings are going to be twice as busy on the roads."

Favoured site

However the county council insisted the scheme had been successful.

Divisional surveyor, Peter Tatlow, said: "The daily number of vehicles we've actually managed to keep out of the city is averaging 120 a day. That doesn't sound a lot but every little helps."

The county council says it will bid for government money next year to establish a permanent park and ride scheme.

The president of Truro's chamber of commerce, Simon Hendra, said: "The chamber of commerce has been calling for a permanent park and ride for years. If they can do it elsewhere why can't we do it here?"

The likely site for a permanent scheme would be at Threemilestone, on the outskirts of Truro, which could serve the hospital, Richard Lander School and County Hall.

A bid last year ended in failure.