Work is continuing on the Saints Trails project to provide a network of multi-use paths for cyclists, walkers and horse riders to enjoy.
The Trails will link where residents live and work and join up access to services in key locations across mid Cornwall.
Vegetation is being cleared from Bolingey through Cocks towards Goonhaven as well as at Trerice and Trevemper in preparation for the next stage of work on this part of the Trail, to add to the sections of the routes that have already been completed including:
- A path at Goonhavern which takes cyclists, walkers and horse riders along the route of the former railway line over Reen Rose Road.
- Improvements to Trenance Car Park so that Trail users can park there and then cycle or walk towards Perranporth or follow the cycle and walking routes into Newquay town centre.
- A new safe route for cyclists crossing the A39 at St Erme as part of the existing Trispen to Idless trail.
Although much of the ambitious and complex scheme will go ahead as planned, budgetary and time constraints mean that some aspects of the project will be simplified including:
- Part of the 19km trail from St Agnes to Truro will now be on road with new safety enhancements to ensure the route is suitable and attractive. This will link to ESIF (European Structural and Investment Fund) funded off road trails to the north and south and a new bridge over the A30 at Chiverton.
- Perranporth to Newquay - some of the proposed bridge links will be replaced by crossings and a short section at the Perranporth end of the route will now be on-road. The result will be 14km of predominantly off-road trail that will re-use the route of an abandoned railway, creating a new tourist attraction as well as providing a multi-use trail.
- Works to enhance the existing Trispen to Idless and St Newlyn East to Carland Cross trails will no longer take place
These changes mean that there will be no need to continue efforts to purchase some parcels of land at this time.
Cornwall Council is investing £2m into the Saints Trails with the majority of the funding (£16.07m) for the project coming from National Highways (formerly Highways England) as part of its programme to provide environmental, social and economic benefits to the people, communities and businesses who live and work alongside the strategic road network. The original budget of £19.1m for the project has been reduced by £1m at the request of joint funder National Highways to ensure the scope of the routes are deliverable within the time constraints of the funding.
Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Philip Desmonde said: “We want to make it easier for residents to make choices about how they travel. Choosing more sustainable methods of transport where possible not only helps our environment but our health too. This is why the Council continues to invest in shared use routes across Cornwall.”
Works on the National Highways funded Saints Trails will be completed by Spring 2023 within the revised budget. The ESIF funded works on the St Agnes to Truro trail and the Chiverton Bridge are due to be delivered by December 2023 and will be a fantastic asset for walkers and cyclists crossing the new A30.
Story posted October 11, 2021
