The Cornwall We Want

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

• Share Less traffic and less indiscriminate building on Facebook Share Less traffic and less indiscriminate building on Twitter Share Less traffic and less indiscriminate building on Linkedin Email Less traffic and less indiscriminate building link

  Less traffic and less indiscriminate building

  by lifebyamainroad, almost 6 years ago

  Living on a main road, the A394, one of the joys of lockdown was the reduction in traffic. For the first couple of weeks it was eerily quiet. The lack of fumes was noticeable and being able to enjoy our garden In peace and hear the birdsong was a delight. Of course the traffic has returned to something approaching normal and there has been some dreadful speeding as motorists took full advantage of the emptier road. I have in the past cycled on this road and it is not a pleasant experience. There are no proper cycle lanes. Surely having... Continue reading

  Living on a main road, the A394, one of the joys of lockdown was the reduction in traffic. For the first couple of weeks it was eerily quiet. The lack of fumes was noticeable and being able to enjoy our garden In peace and hear the birdsong was a delight. Of course the traffic has returned to something approaching normal and there has been some dreadful speeding as motorists took full advantage of the emptier road. I have in the past cycled on this road and it is not a pleasant experience. There are no proper cycle lanes. Surely having cycle paths linking our major towns would encourage people to cycle to work especially now that electric bikes can help with the hills.

  The flowers on our hedges and verges have been spectacular this year. Well done to the Council for delaying trimming - a win/win situation that allows the plants to flower and seed and saves the Council money, something they are likely to be desperately short of for a considerable time. Some people do trim verges by their homes and while some have regard to the plants there others do not. The only trimming needed is where driver visibility is obstructed and a narrow strip for walking on. Can over-zealous trimming by individuals be stopped?

  As more and more homes are built the traffic will only get worse. We need to pause, rethink and build only what is necessary, to a better standard, only what our infrastructure can cope with and not for sale as second homes. No big estates on greenfield sites but brownfield sites to be used up and small scale additions to villages which allow growth in a natural and sustainable way.
• Share How much is too much? on Facebook Share How much is too much? on Twitter Share How much is too much? on Linkedin Email How much is too much? link

  How much is too much?

  almost 6 years ago

  I really liked your piece sunshine99.

  I really liked your piece sunshine99.
• Share Tourism important but not the only industry in Cornwall on Facebook Share Tourism important but not the only industry in Cornwall on Twitter Share Tourism important but not the only industry in Cornwall on Linkedin Email Tourism important but not the only industry in Cornwall link

  Tourism important but not the only industry in Cornwall

  almost 6 years ago

  I have thought for a while that although tourism is important to the economy of the County it shouldn't be the only industry that gets any support.

  We have a long history of Engineering and still have some cutting edge engineering companies as well as some traditional but highly skilled ones, these companies bring in money from out of the county and pay far in excess of the minimum wage that is often the norm for many employed in tourism related jobs.

  We need a wide mix of industries that employ people year round in well paid jobs that allow... Continue reading

  I have thought for a while that although tourism is important to the economy of the County it shouldn't be the only industry that gets any support.

  We have a long history of Engineering and still have some cutting edge engineering companies as well as some traditional but highly skilled ones, these companies bring in money from out of the county and pay far in excess of the minimum wage that is often the norm for many employed in tourism related jobs.

  We need a wide mix of industries that employ people year round in well paid jobs that allow them to thrive in our county rather than just survive.

  Another point is the ever growing number of second homes, this drives up the cost of housing and makes many villages ghost towns in the winter, if this continues we will have no residents left to provide year round basic servives.
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  Cornwall that’s kind

  by Celia, almost 6 years ago

  Cornwall is small, wild and beautiful, the future of Cornwall needs to have protected rivers, coasts and sea And legislation to enforce sustainable fishing, farming and tourism, the idea that Cornwall can have a huge influx of tourists Every year is not viable, we need visitors for our economy, and enjoy having them visit.

  So what can be done....first /protection. second / positive information, to Anyone coming to Cornwall or who lives here what is expected when you visit Cornwall. Third/ on the spot fines for litter, bad parking, abusive behaviour etc. Forth / diversity, new and exciting ways for... Continue reading

  Cornwall is small, wild and beautiful, the future of Cornwall needs to have protected rivers, coasts and sea And legislation to enforce sustainable fishing, farming and tourism, the idea that Cornwall can have a huge influx of tourists Every year is not viable, we need visitors for our economy, and enjoy having them visit.

  So what can be done....first /protection. second / positive information, to Anyone coming to Cornwall or who lives here what is expected when you visit Cornwall. Third/ on the spot fines for litter, bad parking, abusive behaviour etc. Forth / diversity, new and exciting ways for those who live here to earn a proper wage. A Cornwall to care for its residents, business and nature.
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  improve active travel

  by b_fal, almost 6 years ago

  The huge number of people cycling (and walking) on quiet roads during lockdown has shown how great Cornwall could be if we built the infrastructure the allow people to safely travel by bike or on foot. Its not the hills or the weather that puts people off, it is the feeling of vulnerability in amongst motor traffic. As lockdown has eased we have found roads we could easily cross or walk along now feel unsafe to use with our children. It would be great to keep this surge of people travelling actively post-COVID, and it will benefit all, not just... Continue reading

  The huge number of people cycling (and walking) on quiet roads during lockdown has shown how great Cornwall could be if we built the infrastructure the allow people to safely travel by bike or on foot. Its not the hills or the weather that puts people off, it is the feeling of vulnerability in amongst motor traffic. As lockdown has eased we have found roads we could easily cross or walk along now feel unsafe to use with our children. It would be great to keep this surge of people travelling actively post-COVID, and it will benefit all, not just those who choose to travel by bike or on foot, as it will reduce congestion, improve the environment and has been shown in multiple case studies to increase footfall and spending in town centres.
• Share All too soon back to busy roads.. on Facebook Share All too soon back to busy roads.. on Twitter Share All too soon back to busy roads.. on Linkedin Email All too soon back to busy roads.. link

  All too soon back to busy roads..

  almost 6 years ago

  Lockdown was tough in many many ways but we tried to see the bright side and one of the joys was walking and cycling through the village lanes without all the traffic. We live in a village very close to the A38. We are very close to neighbouring Saltash and it suddenly became possible to easily and safely walk to the town without fear of being mowed down by racing traffic. As soon as lockdown was lifted a little the traffic is back however. A38 is racing again and we feel cut off once more. With no cycle lanes or... Continue reading

  Lockdown was tough in many many ways but we tried to see the bright side and one of the joys was walking and cycling through the village lanes without all the traffic. We live in a village very close to the A38. We are very close to neighbouring Saltash and it suddenly became possible to easily and safely walk to the town without fear of being mowed down by racing traffic. As soon as lockdown was lifted a little the traffic is back however. A38 is racing again and we feel cut off once more. With no cycle lanes or even footpaths through most of the lanes and access routes we are now really missing lockdown! How ironic!! We have no bus route here. We would love to have safe walking and cycling routes once more in our new Cornwall after lockdown
• Share Too reliant on tourism on Facebook Share Too reliant on tourism on Twitter Share Too reliant on tourism on Linkedin Email Too reliant on tourism link

  Too reliant on tourism

  almost 6 years ago

  One thing that the lockdown has shown very clearly is just how reliant the Cornish economy is on tourism - the lack of visitors this spring will be keenly felt by many businesses.
  Personally, I welcome tourists to Cornwall from other parts of the UK and, of course, further afield. It is obviously a real strength that Cornwall is so appealing to people and I know that I would not have a job if it wasn't for tourism.
  However, I feel that the Cornish economy would be more resilient if we could diversify, and not rely so much on the... Continue reading

  One thing that the lockdown has shown very clearly is just how reliant the Cornish economy is on tourism - the lack of visitors this spring will be keenly felt by many businesses.
  Personally, I welcome tourists to Cornwall from other parts of the UK and, of course, further afield. It is obviously a real strength that Cornwall is so appealing to people and I know that I would not have a job if it wasn't for tourism.
  However, I feel that the Cornish economy would be more resilient if we could diversify, and not rely so much on the vagaries of tourism. More should be done to encourage small businesses and local shops (e.g. reduce business rates/rents, encourage new start-ups). I do not believe that the growth of internet shopping means the death of the high street: both can co-exist happily, and the recent situation has shown that many local businesses can also provide an online/ delivery service. Shopping locally is not only good for the economy but also good for the environment, as it means less carbon-producing transport to deliver or provide goods and services.
  We should also encourage new, larger businesses to locate here in Cornwall. With the growth in tech companies, we see that large companies can locate anywhere, not just in big cities. And in fact, many people can work from home anywhere in the UK, as the recent lockdown has forced us to realise! Who wouldn't want to live and work from home in beautiful Cornwall?
  A perfect example of the sorts of businesses which we should be encouraging to be based in Cornwall is the growing "green energy" sector. Cornwall is the perfect place to further develop geothermal, wave, solar and wind energy services. We should embrace the new rather than harking back to the past.
  A further benefit of growing the non-tourist section of the economy, especially with well-paid and year-round jobs, would be encouraging more young people to live/stay in Cornwall and hopefully encouraging more diversity in the workforce; both areas which Cornwall sadly falls short of the national average.
  One final thing, still related to tourism, is that we should cap the number of second homes, instead of endlessly building more and more homes on greenfield sites and having many villages almost empty every winter! People who can afford an expensive second home in Cornwall should be taxed accordingly - by Cornwall Council. That money would then go into supporting the infrastructure that all of us, tourists and residents alike, need to maintain an acceptable quality of life.
  Thank you!
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  I didn't like it but

  by Liskeardelder, almost 6 years ago

  After recovering from being labelled "vulnerable" just because of my age, and not being able to do all the things that keep me healthy - dancing, walking etc - set about doing all the garden chores which had been on the "to do" list for years. Really enjoyed the peace and quiet without all the traffic, daily walk became a pleasure again and the wildlife loved it, got some great pics and my new Android phone kept me in touch with friends but miss the hugs so things could have been lot worse. Watching the news each day, hearing the... Continue reading

  After recovering from being labelled "vulnerable" just because of my age, and not being able to do all the things that keep me healthy - dancing, walking etc - set about doing all the garden chores which had been on the "to do" list for years. Really enjoyed the peace and quiet without all the traffic, daily walk became a pleasure again and the wildlife loved it, got some great pics and my new Android phone kept me in touch with friends but miss the hugs so things could have been lot worse. Watching the news each day, hearing the terrible mounting toll of deaths has to be done if only to remind me to be careful and respectful of other peoples space now that rules are being relaxed. The one thing which initially wound me up was the ever increasing mess which used to be green spaces on our small estate as the grass cutting never started this year - 3 months on and have been fascinated by the wildflowers, grasses and insect life which has flourished in these conditions and, apart from a fervent hope that "they" will take away the cut grass when it finally gets done instead of leaving it to rot down, am now convinced that this is the way forward in future - council gets to save money with only one autumn cut, even if more expensive equipment is needed to remove the cuttings - these could be taken away, composted and sold to recoup costs, as is done in many other parts of the country already. Conclusion - hopefully we have all learned some valuable lessons from this terrible event, Covid-19 isn't going away anytime soon and we are all going to have to learn to live with it - our NHS, Care sector an all the other wonderful folk we don't see working behind the scenes are now appreciated at their true value; it is proven that a great many people can work efficiently from home and there is no reason to make them start travelling to an office again with the added benefit of a reduction in air pollution and traffic. We have also learned to be more thoughtful of others; fund raising efforts by so many young people have been heart warming and I can't see them giving this up, another ray of light. I could go on for pages but …….. just thankful to still be alive, fit, healthy and living in Cornwall.
• Share more sustainable, less pollution! on Facebook Share more sustainable, less pollution! on Twitter Share more sustainable, less pollution! on Linkedin Email more sustainable, less pollution! link

  more sustainable, less pollution!

  by o.c, almost 6 years ago

  At the beginning of lockdown the lanes around our house became footpaths for local residents and the lack of cars seemed to really lift everyone's spirits as children and pets could enjoy a sense of security. As lockdown progressed and people started to go back to work, the traffic problem began to get worse than it was pre-lockdown- there needs to be some type of speed limit on the lanes and some way of holding drivers accountable for their actions. There are too many times when we have heard revving throughout the night and people all through the day are... Continue reading

  At the beginning of lockdown the lanes around our house became footpaths for local residents and the lack of cars seemed to really lift everyone's spirits as children and pets could enjoy a sense of security. As lockdown progressed and people started to go back to work, the traffic problem began to get worse than it was pre-lockdown- there needs to be some type of speed limit on the lanes and some way of holding drivers accountable for their actions. There are too many times when we have heard revving throughout the night and people all through the day are speeding down lanes. It is making us as walkers feel so unsafe and the drivers seem to think that they are entitled to acting badly on the roads. There has also been an increase in the amount of litter thrown out of cars and left on lanes. People need to be accountable for this; it is disgusting and I have seen so much wildlife - my own chickens included - suffering from living amongst this litter.

  Truro's new normal should aim towards being as sustainable as possible, in my opinion. There is a horrible amount of plastic - packaging and items - in the shops, and even more on all the roads. Given the recent progress in creating sustainable packaging and biodegradable ware e.g. coffee cups, it is astounding that businesses large and small are still not using these. It would be amazing if there was a rule binding Truro's citizens to be as sustainable as possible.

  During lockdown the positive impact of seeing few cars on the lanes was amazing. It would be great to see more cycling lanes which are actually safe, and to see drivers learn that they share the roads with cyclist, walkers, horses and all other non-car related things and people should be held accountable for their actions when they do not drive safely! Cyclists should feel safe enough to cycle side by side. They are not the problem here, cars are. Often cyclists cycle side by side to ensure their safety as it means that cars are less likely to push past because there is less room. As a cyclist who often cycles with very young children, I need to feel safe cycling on my own road. People also need to learn not to overtake on blind corners!
• Share Somewhere to go on Facebook Share Somewhere to go on Twitter Share Somewhere to go on Linkedin Email Somewhere to go link

  Somewhere to go

  almost 6 years ago

  During lockdown, with fewer cars on the road, as an asthma sufferer, I did not have to take my inhaler once to to an attack. The air quality must have been better.

  I also noticed that it was a pleasure to walk and for people to ride their horses in safety. I am a rider but did not ride in case of accidents. Now there are more cars on the road and restrictions are being lifted there is nowhere safe to ride. The rights of way system is in need of a complete overhaul with unused footpaths that could be... Continue reading

  During lockdown, with fewer cars on the road, as an asthma sufferer, I did not have to take my inhaler once to to an attack. The air quality must have been better.

  I also noticed that it was a pleasure to walk and for people to ride their horses in safety. I am a rider but did not ride in case of accidents. Now there are more cars on the road and restrictions are being lifted there is nowhere safe to ride. The rights of way system is in need of a complete overhaul with unused footpaths that could be used to keep cyclists and riders off the busy roads and get more people out safely enjoying the countryside.