New calls for action to build bypass on busy Camelford road

A Cornwall councillor is calling for action to build a new bypass in north Cornwall after plans have been knocked back.

The new road would mean the A39 would be moved which Councillor for Camelford and Boscastle Barry Jordan says would help cut down traffic from the town.

He told us: ""Camelford needs this. Children's lives are at risk, people's lives are at risk. In the summer the road will be full of traffic and you can actually taste the fumes if you stand here long enough".

""It's unfair for the people of Camelford"

The proposal was first submitted to the Government in December 2020.

This suggested building a £42.5m road around Camelford, which is known for large vehicles passing through the busy streets in north Cornwall. Due to delays since gone up to £70 million to put the road in place.

There are hopes a new road would also help with relieving pollution issues and allow the town to thrive by building a safer, quieter high street for residents and businesses.

Cllr Barry Jordan continued:

"It has a tremendous effect"

"People don't stop, people just drive through. The school is 50 minutes behind and can you imagine being at school with all of the fumes.

"There was a young child who lived close to the traffic lights and they had to move because he was suffering from severe ashtma. When they moved, he's been fine now. It's health as well".

Mayor Rob Rotchelle said in a statement: "The issues of travel problems in Camelford are well documented and solutions have been worked on for decades.

"Cornwall Council agreed its share of the cabinet costs over two years ago and the Department of Transport and Treasurer agreed in 2021 but all the information they needed to make a decision was in their possession. The failure to make this decision has allowed this project to grow from £40m to £70m.

"To allow Camelford to grow and develop we need a decision on the bypass now. I urge the government to make a positive decision that will allow the town flourish".

The Cornwall Councillor wrote to MP Katherine Fletcher, chancellor and the minister for roads and region at the time, to which he received this reply:

“Thank you for your letter of 16 October about the proposed Camelford Bypass.

"I am grateful to you for setting out your concerns about the existing A39 route through the town and its impact on residents. I am aware that there has been a long-standing ambition to tackle this problem. Cornwall Council submitted an Outline Business Case to the Department last year, making the case for a bypass.

"Since then, the Council has updated its cost estimate for the scheme and this has resulted in the scheme being assessed by officials as poor value for money using the Government's transport appraisal guidance".

We have contacted the Department for Transport for a statement in response.

To find the petition, you can visit the Crowdfunder page.

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