A senior Cornwall councillor has said that the council’s strategy is to reduce parking provision in Truro, in a bid to stop people driving into the city.

Cabinet member Bob Egerton made the admission after concerns were raised about the loss of car parking spaces which could be caused as a result of the plans for a £170 million redevelopment of a site on Pydar Street.

Under the plans the viaduct car park would be lost along with another surface car park. Parking spaces would be made available for people living in homes built as part of the new development.

Several councillors said that residents had raised concerns about the loss of parking spaces but Cllr Egerton said that was part of the council’s transport strategy.

He said: “It is more sustainable to have people living and working in the city to mean they don’t have to move around so much.”

He added: “We are going to reduce the amount of parking in Truro, we will be reducing parking in Cornwall – we need to get people out of their cars.

“There is no car-based solution to the traffic problems in Truro.”

Cllr Egerton said there were good park-and-ride services in Truro and good rail links from Falmouth and Penryn and bus services into the city.

He said: “Truro is well served by public transport. If we continue to offer parking solutions people will continue to drive into Truro.

“I have no hesitation in saying it is a good thing to reduce provision in this area and I am prepared to take all the comments back from people.”

He added: “The strategy is to get people out of their cars. We want to get people out of their cars and not use their cars at all.”

Truro councillor David Harris said he had been contacted by residents who were very concerned about the loss of parking spaces.

And Martyn Alvey, councillor for Feock and Playing Place, said it would be “folly” not to include a new park-and-ride service from the A39 for people visiting Truro from Falmouth and Penryn.

He cited a recent example where signs were informing motorists that car parks were full and to use park-and-ride services which would mean having to pass through the city to get to Langarth or Tregurra either side of the city.