At last the preferred route for the A394 at Trewennack, Helston, has been approved. The long awaited and much needed improvement scheme still has to be funded, but the decision by county councillors to approve the route has brought it a step nearer.

It is hoped to implement the full scheme prior to 2011 and detailed design work will now be undertaken, taking into account design issues raised at a public exhibition held in January 2007, to allow the scheme to be implemented in phases should funding opportunities arise in the future.

Matt McTaggart, for the county council, who also attended the public exhibition, said: "I am pleased that the scheme is now able to be taken forward as the consultation process showed there was generally public support for the scheme and the desire to see it implemented as soon as possible."

Nearly 90% of the responses to a questionnaire posted to each household in Trewen-nack and the surrounding area supported the proposed scheme in principle.

The majority of people who responded to the public consultation felt that the scheme would improve road safety for travellers and the village environment by reducing noise and improving air quality.

The plan shows the proposed alignment from Tremeneere House in the east to the eastern end of the Helston Relief Road.

The western section of the scheme through Trelill follows the line of the existing carriageway. The eastern section takes the road to the west of the existing A394 through farmland to rejoin the A394 near the entrance to Tremeneere House. Access to the village of Trewennack and the road to Gweek will be from a new junction and the old road will be maintained as a cycle route and to provide access to properties.

The scheme will provide a footway/ cycleway between the village and Helston. New bus stop laybys will be provided to serve the village.

Residents in the area have been waiting more than 20 years for improvements. When earlier improvements took place on the A394 Helston to Falmouth road Trewennack was left out although plans were drawn up.