A G7 protest site change 'is being looked at' confirm police

One of the four planned protest sites - ahead of next month's G7 summit - is now being reviewed.

Author: Andrew KayPublished 13th May 2021
Last updated 13th May 2021

Truro, Falmouth, Exeter and Plymouth have been chosen for areas where peaceful protestors can make their voices heard.

In Truro, the plan has caused a five-day farmers' market to be cancelled.

The force isn't saying which site is being re-looked at, but say a decision could be announced soon after feedback on the original plans.

Yesterday the force launched a 'campaign around the impact of the G7 Summit on people in the affected areas'.

It said: "Face-to-face meetings, leaflets and mailings are among the methods being used to keep in touch with residents who do not have access to online information and police are asking people to share updates with those who have difficulties finding information online, e.g. private carers letting those they care for that they will need ID to gain access to the restricted area."

Superintendent Jo Hall of Devon & Cornwall Police added: “Our local policing teams and council community link officers have been working together to engage with communities in St Ives, Falmouth and Newquay since the announcement of the event.

“This campaign aims to further inform and reassure communities about the impact of the event in the local areas and the temporary changes they can expect.

“We are working hard to minimise the impact of the summit on local communities and we are engaging regularly with residents and other partners in the affected areas. We would encourage residents to speak to their local police officers about any concerns they might have.

“There will be a certain level of disruption caused by the restrictions and closures, but we hope that people will understand that these are essential to ensure a safe and secure event for delegates and the wider community."

Changes expected include :

In the St Ives and Carbis Bay area the A3074 (St Ives Road) will be closed to all traffic from 9am on 10 June until 11.59pm on 13 June. Security barriers and fencing will be installed from the 4 June and there will be some initial short-term disruption, but full closure is not planned until 0900 on 10 June. The Old Coach Road via Halsetown will be used to provide access to St Ives and delays are expected.

In St Ives local amenities will largely remain open, and all beaches other than Carbis Bay will be accessible.

St Ives town centre and harbour will be open. In Carbis Bay, the section of the South West Coast Path which runs through the Carbis Bay Hotel will be closed with a temporary diversion in place.

In Falmouth, where the Maritime Museum at Event Square will be used as the media centre for the G7 Summit, both Grove Place and Maritime car parks will be closed between 27 May and 19 June. Campbeltown Way will be closed to traffic between 27 May and 19 June. The car park in Church Street will be closed for pay and display 10 to 13 June.

Around Cornwall Airport Newquay - there will be a number of road closures and parking restriction orders in place around the airport for the duration of the event, beginning at 6pm on 9 June, and ending on 11.59pm on 13 June.

Some restricted areas in St Ives and Falmouth will require residents and business workers to provide two forms of current identification linked to their home or business address in order to gain access in vehicles to those homes or businesses. These might be a council tax bill, utility bill, bank statement (within the last three months) or driving licence.

Businesses within the perimeter and in the immediate vicinity of Cornwall Newquay Airport will be contacted shortly by the Cabinet Office with specific identification requirement instructions.

Any delivery driver or service provider seeking entry to restricted areas will need to provide proof of manifest / order confirmation to the address that they are seeking to access along with their personal company ID. The same principle in terms of suitable documentation and ID will need to be presented by any care workers or similar (e.g. charity volunteers who are providing support to residents within the community).

Pedestrian access will be restricted in areas of the immediate vicinity of key areas and people will be subject to security checks. Only residents will be allowed access to these areas.