Truro Town Deal

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Work to begin on first phase of Malpas transport scheme on 27 January

Work on the first phase of the Truro Town Deal funded scheme to improve safety and provide better facilities for walking and cycling along the river edge at Malpas is due to begin on Monday, 27 January.

Measures at Malpas include providing improved access to footpaths and new crossing points to connect people to the riverside, together with traffic calming features along Malpas Road.

Members of the public were invited to have their say on the proposals as part of a formal consultation held between 12 December 2024 and 10 January 2025. Feedback from this consultation is being used to shape the final designs.

The majority of those responding to the consultation were in support of the scheme provided access to all properties is maintained. The project team have confirmed that this will be the case. As a result, it has been agreed to implement the scheme as proposed.

The first phase of the Malpas scheme involves the creation of a landscaped green space area in place of the Pendeen Road roundabout, which will be transformed into a ‘T’ junction, together with new planting, paving, seating and footpath connectivity. Cormac will be carrying out preparatory work on site during the week of the 20th, with works on this phase due to formally begin on 27 January. The first phase is due to be completed by the end of March.

This will be followed by further phases to improve existing footway sections, install new crossing points, carry out minor junction improvements, and complete resurfacing works. The whole scheme is due to be completed by the end of 2025.

The space constraints mean that some sections of the road will need to be closed at various times to enable the works to be carried out safely. The project team are very aware of the potential impact of this on local residents and businesses, emergency services, and to visitors, and will be working closely with all stakeholders to keep disruption to a minimum.

Works to create the proposed green space area at Pendeen Road junction will, where possible, be carried out during daytime hours using temporary traffic lights. However a small amount of night work will be required with details being communicated to affected residents directly.

Some road closures will be necessary in later phases to construct new crossing points and for kerbing & footway improvements in existing narrow sections of carriageway. The project team will maintain access through the works where this can be safely achieved. Advanced notice of road closures will be provided for residents and local users to enable forward planning of their journeys within these periods of work. Access for emergency services will always be ensured.

Green Transport project

The Green Transport project is one of the seven Truro Town Deal projects that are designed to transform the city and local economy.

The aim of the Green Transport project is to improve pedestrian and cycling provision within the city, and increase connectivity by creating better and safer links with existing assets, such as the Newham Trail, Malpas and Boscawen Park and the national cycle network route.

The project comprises a number of individual schemes which are aimed at encouraging people to walk and cycle for short trips and lead to a less polluted, less congested city with reduced traffic noise and more people centred streets.

Lighterage Hill – the aim of this scheme is to provide a new pedestrian and cycle crossing at the base of the hill connecting the proposed lifting bridge at Lighterage Quay with the Newham Trail.

The proposal will involve the realignment of the road to provide better sightlines and safety for all road users, with a new pavement for walkers and cyclists running from the fish factory corner to the start of the trail, and a walking and cycle route to the new bridge.

Following concerns over the access and safety of the initial designs from some stakeholders, including the police, Newham BID and Truro City Council, together with concerns over the viability and affordability of the scheme as a result of increased costs, further work is being carried out on developing detailed design options. Amended designs will be shared with local stakeholders before any final decisions are made.

Malpas Road – (including the junction to Trafalgar roundabout). The existing road is narrow and constricted and the aim of this scheme is to improve safety and provide better facilities for walking and cycling along the river edge.

The proposals include providing improved access to footpaths and new crossing points to connect people to the riverside, together with traffic calming features and a 20mph limit along Malpas Road. The on-street parking bays are also being slightly amended to incorporate a passing bay.

A landscaped green space area will be created in place of the Pendeen Road roundabout, which will be transformed into a ‘T’ junction, together with new planting, paving, seating and footpath connectivity.

The scheme will be delivered in a series of phases to minimise potential disruption. The first phase – which involves the construction of the landscaped green space area – is currently scheduled to be carried out between January and March 2025.

Truro Harbour and Lemon Quay project

The aim of the Truro Harbour and Lemon Quay project is to reinvigorate neglected waterfront and community spaces to create vibrant, attractive and green spaces reconnecting people with water and attracting new audiences from the length and breadth of Cornwall. Individual elements are being designed to connect the harbour quays via pontoons, together with upgrading the Lemon Quay open space with planting.

Lifting Bridge – this new ‘bascule’-type lifting bridge will connect Lighterage Quay at Newham with Boscawen Park. It will provide a continuous pedestrian and cycle route loop around Truro whilst maintaining the rights of navigation for harbour users. The planning application for the bridge is being considered by the Local Planning Authority – with the application currently expected to be considered by the Planning Committee in February 2025.

Lemon Quay - proposals include enhancing the public realm with new tree planting to provide shelter, colour through the seasons and improve the biodiversity of Lemon Quay. New benches and landscaping will encourage better visibility and connection to Truro River and enhance the existing design of Lemon Quay, providing opportunities to sit and relax. Greater provision of cycle parking will help to encourage use of the wider green transport links. Subway improvements will create a safer more welcoming environment.

Removal of Compton Castle – following discussions with partners it has been agreed that Town Deal funding will be used to assist the Port of Truro with the removal of the former Paddle Steamer Compton Castle. Being a historic boat, built locally, and one of only 7 surviving paddle steamers in the UK, there is much interest in this vessel. Despite a number of approaches to preserve the vessel, no scheme has evolved and the Port of Truro have now had to commence the process to dispose of the vessel. Legal negations remain ongoing with the owning company and its Director.

Town Quay - this scheme involves redeveloping the quay to make it more appealing as a public area. Funding pressures mean that the funding originally allocated to provide a pedestrian bridge linking to the Garras Wharf car park has been reallocated by the Town Deal Board to support the Lighterage Quay lifting bridge scheme and the removal of the former paddle streamer the Compton Castle. Other elements of the scheme which are continuing to be developed include improvements to public realm and include Lemon Quay adjacent to Compton Castle; a waterside path, capital dredging, day boat pontoon, ramped access from Garras wharf car park to Morlaix Avenue and improved access onto Town Quay from Morlaix avenue.

About the Truro Town Deal

These projects are part funded by the Government's Town Deal programme and delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the Truro Town Deal Board.

Find out more about the Truro Town Deal programme here:

www.trurotownfund.com

You can also follow Truro Town Deal on social media.

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