Shoppers will be able to relax and let the bus take the strain as Cornwall Council offers a free park & ride service in Truro on selected dates in the run-up to Christmas.

People coming to the Reindeer Parade on Wednesday (November 28) and for the Wednesday late-night shopping evenings in the run up to Christmas on December 5, 12 and 19, will be able to park free at both Park for Truro park & ride sites from 4pm.

In addition, the park & ride and all seven Cornwall Council-run car parks in Truro will be free to use all day on Small Business Saturday which this year falls on December 1.

Cornwall Council Cabinet portfolio holder for transport Geoff Brown said: “We are working with the city council and businesses in Truro and have extended the park & ride opening hours so that people can enjoy the hugely popular Reindeer Parade and late night shopping without having to drive into the busy city centre.

“Cornwall’s great little city is a fantastic place to visit during the festive season. We are supporting our local economy by offering this free park & ride service in the busy build-up to Christmas. Not only does this mean people can take their time shopping, it also means people can spend more time in cafes and restaurants. You don’t get that experience shopping online. I encourage them to use the park & ride service and let the bus take the strain.”

A Truro park and ride bus

Truro Business Improvement District (BID) manager Alun Jones added: “We’re delighted that Cornwall Council is providing a free park & ride bus service into Truro city centre from 4pm on Wednesday late-night shopping evenings and all day on Saturday, December 1.

"This will attract visitors, encourage people to shop locally and greatly help the flow of traffic coming in and out of the city during peak trading times. Alongside the current free evening parking offered in Cornwall Council car parks this represents great value for those visiting our great little city.”

The Truro park & ride sites will be free from 4pm and the usual timetable will be in place up to 7pm. From 7pm onwards, the buses will be operating a shuttle service stopping only in the city centre and the two park & ride car parks. The last bus for both Tregurra (at the Waitrose site) and Langarth, at Threemilestone, will leave Quay Street/Truro Bus Station at 10pm.

Cornwall Council is working with town and parish councils throughout Cornwall to offer free parking in Cornwall Council car parks on a Saturday of their choosing in the run up to Christmas. The free parking days in other towns will be announced shortly.

The Cornwall Council long-stay car parks in Truro are already free to use from 4pm each afternoon and the short stay car parks from 5pm.

Full details are available on the council website.