The Cornwall We Want

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

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  Change is required

  by RW, almost 6 years ago

  I think my comments will support many of those made by others.

  I think the lock down period has demonstrated to many that there are significant problems with the way we have come to live our lives. However it is unrealistic to think we could instantly stop many of the things that impact badly on Cornwall, such as:

  As others have said - tourism causes a significant numbers of problems:

  It creates jobs - but mainly low paid jobs and these are often summer only i.e. cheap part time labour with few career development opportunities.

  A large number of second... Continue reading

  I think my comments will support many of those made by others.

  I think the lock down period has demonstrated to many that there are significant problems with the way we have come to live our lives. However it is unrealistic to think we could instantly stop many of the things that impact badly on Cornwall, such as:

  As others have said - tourism causes a significant numbers of problems:

  It creates jobs - but mainly low paid jobs and these are often summer only i.e. cheap part time labour with few career development opportunities.

  A large number of second homes inflate local house prices and reduces the housing stock for local people,.

  Tourism and second home ownership does not even provide all year round customers for local shops forcing many to close during the winter and/or charging higher prices for goods to make up for the lack of customers in the winter.

  Tourism and second homers add greatly to the demand for increased public services (health, water, waste disposal, roads etc) for relatively short periods each year. These peaks are difficult and expensive to manage.

  There undoubtedly many more issues that need to explored but this is enough for the moment.

  So how can we improve things - I do not think there are instant solutions but we could make a start:

  Stop the development of more camp sites, blocks of flats and other 'holiday let self catering' types of accommodation and encourage new owner managed bed and breakfast establishments. This would at least spread the tourism income more widely within the community, and just as importantly slow down the increase in tourist numbers as it would probably make holidays more expensive.

  Develop sustainable business sectors making use of the natural advantages of Cornwall, such as boat building, marine engineering, fishing and fish processing, thermal energy development, solar, tide and wave power energy solutions. And don't forget farming, agriculture alonfg with the new ways of developing food production.

  And for our communities:

  Provide and maintain footpaths, cycle ways - including access to many of these for disabled or impaired walkers and cyclists.

  Decentralising some services - more costly certainly but enormous increases community morale.

  Develop/improve our education establishments and get world class research carried out in Cornwall to provide opportunities for local kids to develop and stay in Cornwall (assuming we can create the businesses that will employ them e.g in the areas suggested above).

  Support the development of cultural opportunities - including or especially for young people. The Hall for Cornwall is fine but we need a venue for large events/concerts/etc too.

  I could go on, and on and on - but that is enough for now.

  
  

  I need a cup of tea!!!!
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  Distant Land

  almost 6 years ago

  In lockdown we could cycle anywhere nd hear the birds, Cornwall looked so beautiful with uncut hedges and verges full of wild flowers. Litter was unnoticed except for the odd escape from the recycling truck. For 3 months Cornwall was magical but slowly the traffic has come back and its all started again - noise, air pollution, building works, the cormac hedge annihilators. Sad.. back to the concreting and destruction of Cornwall.

  In lockdown we could cycle anywhere nd hear the birds, Cornwall looked so beautiful with uncut hedges and verges full of wild flowers. Litter was unnoticed except for the odd escape from the recycling truck. For 3 months Cornwall was magical but slowly the traffic has come back and its all started again - noise, air pollution, building works, the cormac hedge annihilators. Sad.. back to the concreting and destruction of Cornwall.
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  Let's Reduce the Traffic Noise Pollution that's Ruining our Environment

  by Pete, almost 6 years ago

  The reduction in traffic due to the lockdown has given us a period of tranquility to enjoy the natural environment in the county. It seems a great shame if we don't do what we can to make this a permanent feature.
  
  Anyone living within a few miles of A roads and some B roads is forced to endure an ever-increasing assault on what should be a peaceful Cornish environment. The problem is twofold and both aspects can be addressed.
  
  First the road surfaces. Most road noise comes from vehicle tyres on the tarmac, it resonates for miles even after the... Continue reading

  The reduction in traffic due to the lockdown has given us a period of tranquility to enjoy the natural environment in the county. It seems a great shame if we don't do what we can to make this a permanent feature.
  
  Anyone living within a few miles of A roads and some B roads is forced to endure an ever-increasing assault on what should be a peaceful Cornish environment. The problem is twofold and both aspects can be addressed.
  
  First the road surfaces. Most road noise comes from vehicle tyres on the tarmac, it resonates for miles even after the vehicles have passed. But it's now possible to reduce this noise dramatically by resurfacing with material that transmits much less noise into the environment. I have family who lived close to a motorway in Kent and, initially, there was constant road noise. Then the council changed the surface and the noise reduced dramatically. You can often hear a significant difference at the moment when driving across different surfaces on our roads but the latest advances are much better. We all need deliveries and many of us use cars so we're unlikely to reduce the amount of traffic but we can do something to make the impact less severe and make Cornwall the peaceful place it deserves to be.
  
  Second, there seems to be little or no policing of excessive noise from vehicles. They may pass an MOT but when someone winds up the throttle of a motorbike, the noise is often deafening. Clearly many vehicles are speeding excessively, you can hear that from the engines screaming but there no longer seems to be any action from the police to prevent the noise pollution, let alone the speeding. The A388 sounds like the Isle of Man TT most Sundays and around rush hour pretty much every day.
  
  My hope for the future is that we can hear bird song instead traffic noise in beautiful Cornwall.
  
  
  
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  Community really matters

  by MoJo, almost 6 years ago

  Please, please Cornwall Council make our lanes safer now lifting lockdown has enabled traffic to significantly increase, pay more attention to what matters to the community living in a tourist area. It does not take much to ensure better health and social connectivity by reminding drivers that locals too want to continue to enjoy the benefits of our new found walking ventures. A few more timely reminders along the designated walking route from Tencreek down West Looe Hill would be a good start! We need to hold on to the positives we have found during the past weeks.

  Please, please Cornwall Council make our lanes safer now lifting lockdown has enabled traffic to significantly increase, pay more attention to what matters to the community living in a tourist area. It does not take much to ensure better health and social connectivity by reminding drivers that locals too want to continue to enjoy the benefits of our new found walking ventures. A few more timely reminders along the designated walking route from Tencreek down West Looe Hill would be a good start! We need to hold on to the positives we have found during the past weeks.
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  A Blissful Two Months

  by CornishJock, almost 6 years ago

  Having lived in Cornwall for 36 years and worked for 20 of those years I have watched a beautiful county filled with great people slowly ruin itself.

  The County Council is a disgrace and should be thoroughly ashamed of the way it has performed. Mass tourism is a curse which should have been controlled by better planning. It is not only big business from 'up the line' which is to blame. We have plenty of home grown so called developers who have raped the county by building poor quality housing after knocking down beautiful granite houses, St Ives is a... Continue reading

  Having lived in Cornwall for 36 years and worked for 20 of those years I have watched a beautiful county filled with great people slowly ruin itself.

  The County Council is a disgrace and should be thoroughly ashamed of the way it has performed. Mass tourism is a curse which should have been controlled by better planning. It is not only big business from 'up the line' which is to blame. We have plenty of home grown so called developers who have raped the county by building poor quality housing after knocking down beautiful granite houses, St Ives is a prime example. They are only interested in money and the second home market. This is where planning control is supposed to protect the county.

  Tourism in some forms can be a benefit but the mass of people who descend on Cornwall are a curse and people like Malcolm Bell and CCC are very short sighted. The lockdown has been of great benefit in making people who live here permanently realise the damage which has been done.

  I am afraid to say that I have got very little sympathy for anyone involved in the tourist trade as we would be much better off, in the long term, without the distortion of the jobs market and housing it brings.

  The second home problem MUST be dealt with and I would urge people to vote for councillors who have got the guts to do what is required for once. There are far too many vested interests involved in the running of this county which has done untold harm and is causing huge resentment.
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  Local community roads

  almost 6 years ago

  My hope for the future is that the Council resurface Mexico Lane and build a pavement along Churchtown Road to Riviere Towans. The road is regularly used by pedestrians which has has a 60 mph speed limi and a bend with poor visibility. Let’s hope the Council are listening.

  My hope for the future is that the Council resurface Mexico Lane and build a pavement along Churchtown Road to Riviere Towans. The road is regularly used by pedestrians which has has a 60 mph speed limi and a bend with poor visibility. Let’s hope the Council are listening.
• Share I want to keep cycling! on Facebook Share I want to keep cycling! on Twitter Share I want to keep cycling! on Linkedin Email I want to keep cycling! link

  I want to keep cycling!

  almost 6 years ago

  During lockdown my primary school aged children could cycle confidently on the roads in Launceston and the rural lanes beyond. They absolutely loved their experience of the freedom of the roads, which all us adults had as children when there was much less traffic.

  The kids' school is 2 miles from our house, easily cycleable for them now. As a family we all want to keep cycling both for recreation and to get to and from school. But as traffic levels have risen again, so their road confidence is evaporating. Also, cycling in traffic-polluted air is not enjoyable.

  Please could... Continue reading

  During lockdown my primary school aged children could cycle confidently on the roads in Launceston and the rural lanes beyond. They absolutely loved their experience of the freedom of the roads, which all us adults had as children when there was much less traffic.

  The kids' school is 2 miles from our house, easily cycleable for them now. As a family we all want to keep cycling both for recreation and to get to and from school. But as traffic levels have risen again, so their road confidence is evaporating. Also, cycling in traffic-polluted air is not enjoyable.

  Please could we have a major rethink of the use of our road network , to prioritise cycling and walking and actively discourage short-journey car use?

  Now that electric bicycles are available, age and fitness barriers can be overcome for the majority - if the infrastructure is right.

  Most small businesses- in Launceston and I assume elsewhere- developed delivery services during lockdown - if these are maintained there is no need to take the car for dragging home the shopping! Would Cornwall Council consider what it can do to encourage local retail delivery services to continue?

  I would like to see a reduction of speed limit to 40mph on single carriageway A roads (eg the roads from Launceston toward Callington, Bude, Holsworthy, Liskeard, etc) and many /most single track country lanes should be closed to vehicle traffic other than residents and farmers access (ie not through routes, and closed to lorries)

  The health and wellbeing benefits would be huge! The rural lane network would become in effect a giant linear park network, for active travel and recreation, and also for wildlife habitat if the hedges are encouraged to grow tall and farmers asked to stop flail cutting annually - hedgerow trees would regenerate. It would help you reach Cornwall's carbon neutral pledge, and would encourage a good sort of tourism, not the unsustainable kind we have at the present time.

  You may need some new staff in the highways and transport department though - the present lot seem only capable of thinking about cars. I observe that the signs providing additional space for pedestrians in Launceston town centre have been set up in a way that stops cars driving down some roads.... and also stops pedestrians getting past! Clearly not one person putting the signs in place considered the task from a pedestrian's point of view.
  
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  Benefits of Lockdown

  by Jaymac, almost 6 years ago

  Lockdown has forced many changes for good that would previously have been considered impossible to achieve especially in such a short time period; reduced pollution from road and air traffic, safer roads for cycling and walking, cleaner air and appreciation of key workers who support our daily lives on all levels.

  I would like to see sustained and enhanced improvements in these areas:

  - Practical measures to encourage more cycling, walking & running.

  - Incentives for the switch from petrol & diesel to hybrid and electric vehicles.

  - Re-assessment of pay rates for public sector key workers to properly reflect... Continue reading

  Lockdown has forced many changes for good that would previously have been considered impossible to achieve especially in such a short time period; reduced pollution from road and air traffic, safer roads for cycling and walking, cleaner air and appreciation of key workers who support our daily lives on all levels.

  I would like to see sustained and enhanced improvements in these areas:

  - Practical measures to encourage more cycling, walking & running.

  - Incentives for the switch from petrol & diesel to hybrid and electric vehicles.

  - Re-assessment of pay rates for public sector key workers to properly reflect their value to the community.

  - Support for local businesses hardest hit by the lockdown e.g. hospitality, arts & leisure.

  - Exploration of measures to offset and manage the impact of increased tourism to regions like Cornwall as more people holiday in the UK rather than going abroad.
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  Communities can breathe and thrive.

  by Jennie, almost 6 years ago

  With the total absence of incomers, reduced traffic and congestion It was like going back to the sweet days of childhood when it was safe, and relatively uncrowdead. I believe this was felt by many and the wonderful (and old fashioned) support networks had room to thrive. We have had a long period of push for growth, greed and materialism, which I think has given a greater gap between those seen to be winners, but only financially, where the real winners are those who have a great sense of community and care for others.

  My wish would be to restrict... Continue reading

  With the total absence of incomers, reduced traffic and congestion It was like going back to the sweet days of childhood when it was safe, and relatively uncrowdead. I believe this was felt by many and the wonderful (and old fashioned) support networks had room to thrive. We have had a long period of push for growth, greed and materialism, which I think has given a greater gap between those seen to be winners, but only financially, where the real winners are those who have a great sense of community and care for others.

  My wish would be to restrict those coming to Cornwall to ‘ invest’ in a second home and nurture Cornwall for those who live and work here, Cornwall Council should support to keep our communities thriving, keep traffic down and start to care for the law abiding decent people who live here. Incomers bring nothing but trouble for our Police and the residents who live here.
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  Too much damage is being caused....

  by Joanne B, almost 6 years ago

  I think that the lockdown, which is being lifted far too soon in the face of pressures from tourism (again) gave the whole environment a break. Better air quality, less pollution, quieter, more wild life but sadly, it's not going to last.

  We are sacrificing so much for tourism and second homes in Cornwall. Our communities are being devastated by this. As local people, we don't seem to get a say and the council doesn't listen. Two years ago, I couldn't even get into my own village because of the number of toursist and cars. WhenI eventually did get home... Continue reading

  I think that the lockdown, which is being lifted far too soon in the face of pressures from tourism (again) gave the whole environment a break. Better air quality, less pollution, quieter, more wild life but sadly, it's not going to last.

  We are sacrificing so much for tourism and second homes in Cornwall. Our communities are being devastated by this. As local people, we don't seem to get a say and the council doesn't listen. Two years ago, I couldn't even get into my own village because of the number of toursist and cars. WhenI eventually did get home, my drive was filled with tourists who had taken down the bollard and parked in it. Try living with this!

  Houses and estates and cropping up everywhere even in green fields and our access to what we pay for is being taken from us or made more difficult to access despite what we pay in taxes.

  Now, I feel our lives are being put on the line by a greedy tourist industry which benefits a few by inconveniences and impacts on many. Covid is being forgotten and Treliske are gearing up for a spike in October according to the news. My whole family are worried. We know from watching what happened up in Bournemouth that the same will happen here and no one seems to care!