Newlyn Old Bridge, Prohibition of Motor Vehicles Trial (Revised)
Newlyn Old Bridge, Prohibition of Motor Vehicles Trial (Revised)
What are we consulting on?
Work is taking place in Newlyn to improve how people move safely in and around the town.
The scheme was first developed more than ten years ago as part of discussions around the Penzance Sustainable Travel Network. Residents at the time were concerned about the increasing number of vehicles and wanted to make the town centre safer for people walking and cycling.
The work currently underway has been shaped through consultation with the local community – first, when the initial proposals were presented in 2023, and again a year later after the original designs had been revised to incorporate feedback.
Following concerns raised during the second consultation about the proposals for the bridge, we agreed to trial a six-month closure in 2025 through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). Under this process, residents and businesses were able to give us their feedback throughout the six-month trial.
This trial generated valuable feedback, particularly regarding obstructive parking on both sides of Old Bridge. In January, we announced the bridge would close to vehicles on a permanent basis.
With work currently underway on other aspects of the town centre scheme however, there remain concerns about the closure of Old Bridge.
We want to get this right for the community.
We are extending the trial to test additional measures in response to concerns raised during the first trial - particularly around obstructive parking and access. We also identified a minor technical issue in the wording of the previous Order, which this process will correct.
The ETRO shall comprise of:
• Revised “No motor vehicles” restriction on the Old Bridge
• No waiting or loading at any time restriction at the north end of the bridge
• No waiting at any time at the south end of the bridge
This project forms part of the wider Newlyn Town Centre Transport Project - Please follow link below to see further details:
Newlyn town centre transport project | Let's Talk Cornwall
Why are we doing this?
The closure of Old Bridge is one aspect of the work to improve conditions for people wanting to walk, use pushchairs and wheelchairs, as well as cycle in the town. An important part of Newlyn’s history, the way people use the Grade II listed structure has changed over the years and there have been concerns for the safety of walkers, cyclists, and other non-car users especially in an area where space is limited.
The bridge is an important part of the town, but the way it is used today creates challenges. We want to support the local community to find a better balance, while respecting the bridge’s history. A key aspect of the proposals for Newlyn has been to close the bridge to traffic.
Its closure requires drivers to follow an alternative route of about 150 metres.
Following the previous public consultation on changes to the Old Bridge, a number of objections were raised. The revised layout and proposed trial seek to address these concerns as outlined below:
In relation to safety and access, concerns were raised about parked vehicles at both ends of the bridge. To mitigate these issues, it is proposed to extend the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to include the area at the northern end where vehicles are currently parking and obstructing access. Waiting restrictions will also be introduced at both the northern and southern ends, with enforcement undertaken by Cornwall Council throughout the duration of the trial.
With regard to congestion on New Road, some consultees expressed concern about potential increases in traffic delays. However, evidence gathered during the original trial did not provide conclusive findings on this matter. As part of the revised trial, a vehicle count and queue length survey will be conducted at the Tolcarne Place junction to better understand any impacts.
Concerns about emergency vehicle access were also highlighted during consultation. These will be addressed by maintaining exemptions for emergency vehicles within the ETRO. In addition, bollards at the northern end of the bridge are removable to allow access when required, and emergency vehicles will continue to be permitted to park on double yellow lines at either end of the bridge if necessary. The restriction on general motor vehicle use is expected to further improve accessibility for emergency services.
Finally, feedback was received regarding the visual impact of bollards and signage. During the trial period, temporary bollards will remain in place at the southern end of the bridge. It is acknowledged that these are not entirely in keeping with the historic character of the area. The visualisations show the intended permanent works if the ETRO is deemed successful. Cornwall Council acknowledges the proposals will cause some visual impact and minor harm to the historic character of the listed bridge and conservation area. However, this is considered in the context of the wider scheme, where pedestrianisation delivers clear benefits by removing heavy traffic, reducing structural stress, and helping preserve the bridge long term. The works are reversible and do not permanently alter the historic fabric. Overall, the harm is judged to be less than substantial and is outweighed by the public benefits, including improved preservation, accessibility, and creation of a higher-quality public space.
Next steps
Following on from the previous public consultation, this proposal will be implemented as a trial to begin with. This trial will be achieved through using temporary street furniture to portray the layout of the final intended design. Only after the trial has been in place for a minimum of 6 months will a final decision be made on whether to make permanent. The visualisations show what the permanent layout could look like.
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