As seen in The Cornishman Thu, 25th August 2011

Mixed reaction to plans for new transport hub

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Cornishman

CONGESTION and the impact of increased traffic were the main concerns raised by residents at the public exhibition of plans for a new £10 million St Erth transport interchange facility.

Hundreds of residents from the surrounding towns and villages visited the two-day event to view the plans.

Cornwall Council with Network Rail is proposing to develop a major transport hub, which would see significant enhancements to the existing railway station including three car parks with 750 parking spaces, pedestrian and cycle routes and improvements to the junction at the A30 and Station Approach.

If approved, the scheme could open in early 2014.

Bill and Jayne Thomas from Lelant were among residents inspecting the plans on Friday afternoon.

They were horrified by the proposal to introduce traffic lights at the junction. They said: "They need to put temporary lights there now and test how they would work.

"We think the idea is horrendous and the scheme will not ease congestion in St Ives."

Another Lelant resident, Mike Verney agreed. He said: "I doubt it will resolve the current traffic problems in St Ives.

"The project is great but it will not resolve that problem."

Gemma and Frances Barker, who live in St Ives, support the facility. They said: "It is a very good idea providing they will sort out the junction."

And St Erth resident Peter Badcock said the scheme should have been realised years ago. He added: "I hope it goes ahead and I think it is good for the local economy."

Cornwall Council's principal engineer Ian Taylor was among officers present at the exhibition to explain the plans.

He admitted concerns had been raised over the potential increase in traffic through the village of St Erth and the proposed traffic lights designed to address the congestion issue, but added: "We have carried out traffic modelling with the Highways Agency and we feel that traffic signals would improve traffic flow on the A30."

Money for the scheme will come from central Government, the Department for Transport Access for All, EU Convergence funding and a small amount from the Historic Railway Society.