£200k safer town plan amended following concerns

A £200,000 project aimed at making a Cornish town safer for pedestrians and cyclists has been amended following discussions with residents and businesses, Cornwall Council has said.

The proposals for Newlyn were shared with people in October and November, and at a public exhibition at The Centre, in the town, in December.

"We received a high number of responses to the consultation and would like to thank everyone who took part," said project manager Adam O'Neill.

"We have listened carefully to all the comments and concerns raised by the residents and businesses objecting to specific proposals, as well as to the views of those supporting the scheme, and, as a result, have made a number of changes to the original designs," he added.

The original scheme included new footways and crossing points for Newlyn, together with proposals to close the Old Bridge to vehicles and amend existing parking arrangements.

Cornwall Council said while providing new crossings received general support from the majority of the 94 respondents, some raised issues with the designs and there were concerns about some of the proposed changes to parking in the town, and plans for Old Bridge.

It said one of the key areas of concern identified during the consultation was the proposal to stop all vehicles from driving over the Old Bridge in a bid to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The council said some of the changes following the consultation included a trial closure of the Old Bridge to monitor the impact on traffic flow, and parking spaces would be limited to a one-hour duration with no return within three hours.

Connor Donnithorne, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: "We have listened carefully to all the feedback from the local community and made changes to the original designs.

"I'd like to thank all who took the time to give us their views."

Cornwall Council said next steps included developing and confirming details of the trial for the Old Bridge and a timeline for the start of work on other elements of the scheme.

It added work was expected to be completed by end of 2025.

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