Truro’s Moorfield car park, which saw its upper storeys close following an inspection, has come to the end of its “design life” according to Cornwall Council, meaning remedial work to extend its life is unlikely to be possible or financially viable.

Decks four to nine of the 680-space car park off Calenick Street were suddenly closed on Tuesday, May 21. The ground floor and outside sections are still open, as well as a parking area for reserved permit holders.

The local authority was responding to criticism from former Mayor of Truro Bert Biscoe that it had been known “for some considerable time that the structural condition of the multi-storey needed to be carefully managed”.

A council spokesperson said: “Safety is paramount and our aim has been to keep the car park open for as long as possible while it has been safe to do so. Any decision that affects the capacity of the car park is not taken lightly and so this needs to be based on robust evidence.

“Built in the 1970s and like similar structures across the country, the car park is reaching the end of its design life. Specialist structural advice has been sought and the frequency of inspections increased recently.

“As ... design standards have changed since the car park was built, it is unlikely that remedial works to extend its life indefinitely would be possible and financially viable. The decision to close the upper floors was based on the latest inspection.

“We are in the process of reviewing if measures can be put in place to reopen some of the sections in the short term. In the meantime, we are also reviewing parking and travel options for the city.”

The sudden loss of the majority of parking at Moorfield has come as a blow following last year’s demolition of the Carrick House and Viaduct car parks to make way for the Pydar development.

The council has urged motorists to use the 2,588 parking spaces available at Truro Park and Ride’s two sites at Langarth and Tregurra.