Truro Quiet Lanes Trial
For latest information on the scheme scroll down to Update - October 2022
We are working with partners to improve the health and fitness of residents and visitors, and tackle climate change, by promoting walking and cycling projects and encouraging more people to leave their cars at home.
One of these projects involved the Quiet Lanes, a network of rural, mainly unclassified, lanes between the B3284 (Shortlanesend area) and the A390 (Royal Cornwall Hospital and Threemilestone area).
The narrow lanes, which are unsuitable for high levels of traffic, are being used as a short cut by commuters travelling into the city and the hospital. 
We carried out a trial aimed at making the lanes more attractive and accessible for people walking and cycling by reducing the amount of traffic. This was intended to create a 15km network of quiet walking and cycling routes linking key destinations in Truro, helping to encourage more healthy lifestyles after the pandemic.
What did the trial involve?
Under the trial only residents and their visitors, and companies delivering to properties within the zone, were officially allowed to use the lanes. Vehicle prohibition signs were erected at 11 entry points, with the restrictions enforceable by the police. (see Plan below or view here)
The traffic prohibitions were made using an 'Experimental Traffic Regulation Order' (copy found here). A formal statutory consultation is part of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order process during the first 6 months of the trial. Traffic and user surveys were also undertaken to assess the impact of the scheme.
Feedback from that process, alongside the user surveys and comparison of 'before and during' traffic monitoring data fed into the eventual decision on whether to make the traffic prohibitions permanent, to change the trial or scrap the whole idea.
The trial went live on Thursday 16th September 2021 and finished on 15th September 2022.
Update - October 2022 - Council listens to feedback as Truro Quiet Lanes trial comes to an end
The experimental trial to reduce through traffic using a network of rural lanes on the outskirts of Truro has ended and the results assessed. (See full results here)
The Quiet Lanes trial aimed to make a 15km network between Shortlanesend and Threemilestone safer for people wanting to walk and cycle there by banning motorists from driving through the narrow rural lanes unless they lived in the area or were making deliveries to residents.
Residents and commuters have been able to give their feedback before and during the year-long trial as part of the consultation process running alongside the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. That feedback, together with recent traffic surveys and discussions with local stakeholders, including local Cornwall councillors, has been analysed.
The conclusion is that the trial has not been widely supported and that there has been no material shift in the behaviour of motorists using those roads. As a result, the trial is ending, the restrictions have now been lifted, and the signs removed.
Funding for the trial has come from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel fund which supports measures to bring about a modal shift to encourage people to walk and cycle more, especially where the journey is a short one.
Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Philip Desmonde said: “As part of this ‘living’ trial, a six-month statutory consultation period was in-built as part of the process to gather and assess the views of the public and stakeholders.
“The pre-trial user survey received 639 responses with 45% supporting it and 51% against the restrictions (The full results can be found here) – however the overriding majority of the circa 200 comments and emails received during the trial have been negative. The majority of these comments came from motorists who had previously used the lanes as a short cut to the A390. We have taken all the feedback, alongside the monitoring evidence, to make an informed decision on whether there are grounds to make the trial permanent, amend it or stop it. On balance, the decision is to stop and not make the order permanent as we take on board the valuable lessons that have been learned.
“For example, competing priorities for police resources and the difficulties in enforcing a ban in an area where access is still required to properties and businesses within the impacted area. Any future scheme will essentially need to be ‘self-enforcing’ or managed through the use of technology, as and when moving vehicle offences become enforceable by the Council.
“We’re committed to putting the infrastructure in place to enable people to make more sustainable choices about how they travel. Road transport is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions and around a quarter of car journeys in Cornwall are of less than three miles. We all need to look at how we travel and the changes we can make – big or small – that can help make a difference. It’s good for our health, the environment, and – in these increasingly cash-strapped times – our wallets too.
“This trial has helped us to understand the pressure points – which is exactly why the restrictions were introduced as a trial and not a permanent change. I'm disappointed that we have been unable to make it permanent, but given the response from motorists using the lanes as a cut through, it’s clear we need to look at providing more sustainable transport options, to relieve pressure on the A390 as well as supporting healthier, greener and more affordable ways of accessing services.”
Comments
Not sure the exact logic in this idea. The road should just be 30 speed limited as I believe it should be regardless , such a dangerous road. Have used a lot as have lived here many years. Even before this I didn’t like using these roads due to the people walking on them with dogs off lead etc and people coming towards me at 60 round a blind corner. I used these roads just before this rule came in to take my partner to work daily at the hospital, it just logical to if you live in the village to use these back roads. Especially since highertown area is so gridlocked 95% of the day. Making a 5 minute drive to the hospital 20+ . I don’t really understand why this road is so important over say the allet back lanes? Why are they not restricted? . Also agree with others about why restrict it but not police it , pointless, might as-well have not bothered really. So much more issues in this area road wise that should have been tackled instead. Ie the speeding in the village is beyond a joke- the main road and Ashley road especially
I am devastated that the penrose pop up cafe has shut as a result. I am someone who walks these roads every day, cars still bombing down at speed so no difference to me as a Walker. It’s not greener as to get round, cars are having to travel further on a30/through Truro. This absolutely makes no sense and if it continues, whoever’s crazy idea it is, will DEFINITELY not be getting my vote
As a person that lives down the quiet lanes. I can honestly say I haven't seen a massive difference maybe a little quieter in the mornings but in the evening peak times still really busy.
The problem is as expect noone to be coming the other direction they just drive faster.
I live within the zone but never use the lanes to get to TMS as it's so stressful people either can't reverse or they drive at you.
Everyone is complaining about the amount of traffic on teh main roads now surely this just shows how many people where travelling down the lanes.
The back of the hospital road and school hill are still just as busy as before.
Maybe reduce speed, speed cameras, speed bumps might be the solution.
Everyone knows noone will be caught so why bother to drive round
As a member of staff at Treliske Hospital, I use these lanes regularly to access work. I bought a house in SLE because of the direct road to RCHT. Notice I said road and not 'rat run', as last time I looked, it certainly was a road and not a footpath or cycle path!
As a SLE resident, I dont see why we shouldn't use these roads, as a sensible driver and courteous road user.
Maybe have commuter hours at peak times and then dog walkers and horses can maybe use it later in the morning and afternoon.
I was always taught to share.....maybe Cornwall Council should consider this concept?!
Speed humps, trafffic calming islands and speed cameras should have all been tried before closing the road completely us NHS employees. Claps every Thursday last year.... now you hit us with a commute thats triple the time it normally takes. Thanks for that.
If you don't police this trial why will anyone bother to not use the lanes.
They openly say on any post about the lanes that they have used the lanes for years and will continue to do so!
How can you decide if it's working if you are unable to check who are using them.
As time goes by any there are no consequences the flow of traffic will be back to before but as they assume noone will be coming the opposite direction the speed will just increase. Nothing will be done until a pedestrian is hit or a serious accident occurs.
As someone who lives down the quiet lanes I have noticed that since this trial has started there have still been LOTS of cars and taxis using the lanes as a cut through. They are still using this road to get from SLE to the hospital. Either do the trial properly or don't bother. The speed limit needs to be reduced on these back roads as there are frequent accidents of cars going too fast.
I have to drive from Threemilestone into Truro on a regular basis to take my daughter to school. The traffic is horrendous throughout the day. It takes so much more out of my day, even to the point of having to pack a picnic to get my daughter to after school activities on time.
This I believe is a direct consequence of closing the lanes to through traffic. I worry about the pollution levels this increase in traffic is having on the immediate and surrounding area.
Having driven last week from Shortlanesend to Sainsburys, a trip I have often done, I could not believe the difference in the volume of traffic! This must cause additional pollution from cars queuing past dwellings along this route, yet I have never seen a queue along the back lane to Treliske, where dwellings also tend to be set back a little further from any pollution. Cornwall Council simply cannot discriminate against users of these lanes around Truro, when many, many people in the county live along routes which are narrow, where they are unable to safely walk or cycle, due to speeding traffic etc. The hospital already has difficulty recruiting staff, please don't add to this problem by continuing this trial which benefits a select few!
Having been born & raised in Truro I was amazed that this trial was ever even considered, let alone passed. I was a commuter on the back lanes on a daily basis to go from my home in Shortlanesend to my place of work (Gloweth). I have half an hour to get from one place to another from the school drop off to start work & the same for the return journey. Since this trial has come into place, my journey is now taking 25 mins on a good day (sometimes longer), as opposed to the 10 minutes commute I used to have. I have already been late for the school pick up as I have been sat in traffic congestion trying to get back. Having direct access removed from the village is detrimental to residents and causing unnecessary stress. Not to mention the extra fuel, costs, pollution & impact on already busy main roads throughout Truro. The council seriously needs to re-consider & return the lanes to normal.
I regularly use the quiet lanes for leisure. I have noticed a difference in the volume of traffic. However there are still many vehicles using this short cut, to commute. NHS lanyards being worn, kind of gives it away.
I also noticed this weekend that there were more people walking etc than I would usually see. I know this is an inconvenience to many, but just too many vehicles and some driving too fast. Families and individuals need these spaces to walk and enjoy the environment we are lucky enough to live in, without fear of being hurt or abused. An escape from the roads and built up areas that is a short distance walk away for many from the city and surrounding areas. I have many times when out early spotted deer, foxes and always come across the squirrels no matter the time of day. An evening stroll often results in spotting bat's and owls. It is so much more important that we can use these areas,for our young people to learn and discover.
We live within the quiet lanes and we have seen slightly less traffic on the morning, but in the evening in peak times it's still really busy.
We walk our dog every day and do have to stop or go right into the hedge.
Since bringing this to people attention some do seemed to have slowed down but others are taking advantage that noone will be coming the other way and driving at high speed.
Everyone is commenting about how much traffic is in the main roads that just goes to show how many cars were using the lanes.
We have seen lots more cyclists and people walking in the last week, young children riding on bikes, toys etc.
I understand that it is an inconvenience for people to drive round even tho I live on the outskirts of the quiet lanes I never use them to get to TMS as people either drive at you or can't reverse.
If you could make it a much slower road by speed bumps, reducing the speed limit, speed cameras etc it might make the lanes safer and also put some people off using them to would prob rectify the problem without closing them.
people have taken very little notice
Still lots of cars and still speeding!! I met a couple who lived in the village for over 20 years and was to scared to walk down the lanes until now! Just slow down!! Everyone is always late!!! Needs speed restrictions
As a local to the quiet lanes area these lanes are not the area I choose to exercise as you can not cross the Ford to make a circular walk (the foot bridge is overgrown and too narrow for a pushchair or bicycle) plus you need to be a mountain goat. The foot paths that link areas are either over grown, boggy or you have abuse thrown at you for daring to walk the PUBLIC footpath. I use the lanes once or sometimes twice a week as the most direct route to threemilestone from shortlanesend. My journey time has more than trebbled 12 minutes to 45 minutes and my husband who works in Truro is having to leave 20 minutes earlier to get to work on time just to travel the three miles that it not possible using public transport as it is unreliable and does not run past 6pm. How is sitting in traffic with your engine running for treble the time more environmentally friendly and helping the current fuel situation????
Just over a week in and at present it feels like that the trial has made little or no difference.
My feel would be to introduce a 20mph limit within the zone, since it is the inappropriate speed within the zone that is the biggest factor that needs addressing, backed up by average speed cameras at the entry/exit points to enforce
So motorcycles are banned that do not interfere with walkers, electric cars are banned that do not pollute and I cannot get into work in RCHT in a timely way in an emergency. Residents can however get their Amazon deliveries. This benefits a select few and disadvantages the many.
These lanes are already designated “Quiet Lanes” which by definition are designated to encourage, not ban certain users and to use them considerately. By diverting these users via longer routes it increases pollution, climate change and lengthens their working day, therefore reducing the time available to improve their health by walking and cycling. This contradicts the Government Active Travel fund criteria this trial is based on.
The £607K is being wasted on this experimental trial and would be better used to make dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths to employment etc. By introducing it using the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order Cornwall Council has bypassed both council and public discussion.
Stop the trial and allow all users our rightful access to these public roads.
Cornwall Council Strikes again! The Council published Nitrous Oxide levels in excess of what is acceptable for health in both Kenwyn Road /Hill and Highertown. Where is the rationale in devising the Quiet Lanes Trial to push even more queueing traffic into these areas thus placing the health of residents and children walking to school at further risk? Can the safety risk posed by 200 vehicles movement spread over 15 kilometres of lanes ever equate to the harm posed to these Truro residents? Is this the same department that designed the infamous Tregolls Road bus lane?
Why not have speed restrictions instead (with traffic calming measures) - this is a public highway and personally, I wonder about the legality of this if push came to shove. TBH all single track lanes should have 30 mph restrictions anyway (nationally) due to bends and danger to cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. I am frightened to ride my new pony out on the lanes around us (mid-Cornwall) - too darned dangerous with increased traffic, increased speeds - sat-nav taking folk anywhere and everywhere. This problem therefore needs to be dealt with by Highways England/parliament as this is a problem that is not going away but will only get worse.
As a daily walker of these lanes at various times of the day, I fully agree with RCHT Surgeon. My partner and I rarely see any other walkers or cyclists and the majority of motorists slow down when passing. The survey was worded with such bias so as to push environmental issues to support closure.
Already much traffic has been diverted onto other lanes in my village, not included in the project. Where is the logic to apply for and spend Government money on such an ill thought through project and even worse to use underhanded methods to implement it i.e. an ETO - no public consultation needed prior to implementation. Why has an urban road been reclassified as a Quiet Lane - maybe another councillor gains? CPRE Quiet Lanes were all about rural lanes. This whole scenario stinks
This project stinks of self interest. We would all love dedicated quiet roads around our houses but the road network should be for the benefit of all. This project increases commute times for the majority thus increasing pollution. Diverts increased traffic past Penair school and the children walking from the city centre. I work in Treliske and provide emergency surgical cover. This change has doubled my response time. Having used these roads regularly to get to work over the last 5 years it has been rare that I have seen anyone walking or cycling (less than 1 in 10 journeys). Turning public roads into publicly funded private roads for the benefit of the few is no substitute for providing proper cycle lanes and footpaths. The leading questions asked on the consultation suggest that the outcome is probably pre-determined though.
Did you know...
... that a third of journeys currently made by car are less than 5km long? Switching to walking and cycling where possible not only has great health benefits, but is also good for the environment !
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