Highways England to spend £17m on cycling projects alongside A30 in Cornwall

Highways England has announced £17m of investment in walking and cycling projects alongside the A30 in Cornwall. This will be supplemented by a further £2m from Cornwall Council with the schemes due to be delivered by spring 2021.

BikeBiz reports that the funding will help create an off-road cycling and walking network linking Truro with St Agnes, Perranporth and Newquay.

There will be 30km of routes. Projects include:

1. St Agnes to Threemilestone (via Chiverton Cross): the proposal is for a reliable and safe crossing of the junction linking the B3277 from St Agnes with the A390.
2. St Newlyn East to Carland Cross: the proposal is to connect the existing National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 32 at St Newlyn East with a new traffic-free path on Newlyn Downs and further complement and strengthen the case for the Perranporth to Newquay project.
3. Trispen to Idless: the proposed cycle link between Trispen and Idless will make use of a designated ‘quiet lane’ and traffic-free path through woods and connect with NCN Route 32.
4. Perranporth to Newquay: the proposal is the reinstatement of a dismantled railway line as a multi-use trail for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Cornwall Council will lead the projects with work due to start later this year.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio holder for Transport said: “This major funding from Highways England provides us with a wonderful opportunity to provide some great opportunities for cycling.

“The routes will complement other cycle routes and trails across Cornwall. The cycle network will reach out to towns and villages and link with where residents live and work, connecting our communities and joining up access to the services that people want and need.

“Cycling also helps address congestion and air quality issues and plays a key role in promoting a healthy life for our residents, and we look forward to working with our partners at Highways England and with the local communities, on delivering these exciting schemes.”

The projects are being undertaken thanks to Highways England’s ring-fenced cycling designated fund. The company’s target is to deliver 150 cycling schemes by the end of the Road Investment Period (2015-2020).