Think Parking at the Beach Is Free? Cornwall Council Made Over £322K in Just One Month

Holidaymakers warned as Easter parking revenues and fines revealed

Cornwall Council made more than £322,000 from its coastal car parks last April, according to newly released figures – just in time for the Easter rush to the seaside.

With thousands of motorists expected to descend on Cornwall’s coastline over the school holidays, the Freedom of Information (FOI) data reveals just how much the council generated from parking charges during April 2024 alone – a total of £322,740.21.

Highest Earning Car Parks

The figures, obtained by cinch, the UK’s biggest online used car retailer, show that Summerleaze Car Park topped the list, generating £51,140.21 in parking charges in April last year.

Next on the list was Island Car Park, which brought in £25,065.62, followed by Barnoon Car Park, collecting £23,263.04 during the same period.

More Than Just Charges – Fines Add Up Too

On top of the charges, Cornwall Council also issued 151 penalty charge notices (PCNs) across its coastal car parks in April 2024. These fines brought in an additional £4,340 in revenue.

Island Car Park was not only one of the most profitable but also the most penalised, with 64 parking fines issued there last April alone.

Parking Warning Ahead of the Easter Holidays

With the Easter period now in full swing, cinch is urging drivers to pay close attention to local parking rules when visiting the beach.

Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said:

“If you’re thinking about a trip to the seaside this Easter, remember that it can be easy to get caught out by unfamiliar restrictions in nearby car parks.

“To avoid the risk of unnecessary fines, it’s key for drivers to check local rules before they travel and park responsibly.”

Figures were obtained via a Freedom of Information request to Cornwall Council.