New cycle routes in Cornwall planned for Helston with Vitality Fund

Currently Helston has just four 'safe cycling routes', at Coronation Park, a small section near Helston Community College, along RNAS Culdrose and Clodgey Lane up to the rugby club, and past the new Park an Daras housing estate at the top of town along from Gwealdues.

However, the plan is to extend these considerably, to take in the whole of Clodgey Lane, Falmouth Road, Redruth Road, Meneage Road, Trengrouse Way and the entire stretch past both Helston Community College sites, down to the Water-ma-Trout industrial estate.

It is one of a number of projects to come out of £100,000 Town Vitality Funding won by Helston earlier this year, to kickstart different ways of regenerating the town.

A number of volunteers from the town have spent many hours over the last few months putting together a 'Place Shaping' plan, and part of that work has been looking at issues around the connectivity of Helston.

The team has been developing proposals for cycling and walking routes in town, buses in the town centre and, in the long term, trying to re-connect Helston’s rail line in some way.

A map showing the existing and planned cycle routes

Working with Cornwall Council, Cormac and a small user group, they have identified designs for the new cycle routes within the town, which will be incorporated into a draft ‘Walking and Cycling Strategy’ for Helston.

It could also see the introduction of 'shared used' routes, potentially with different levels to separate out walking, cycling and from the road.

David Turnbull, of from the project board, said: "The objective is to enable as many residents as possible to cycle to most of Helston’s key amenities – schools, town centre, medical centre, sports clubs etc – without needing to cycle on a main road.

"The design work needed to consider which routes are technically possible, with enough space to the side of existing carriageways to enable ‘shared use’ routes to be constructed.

"Shared use routes are preferably wide enough to accommodate separate lanes for cycling and walking to ensure segregation between walkers and cyclists.

Explaining a 'shared use' route

"The draft Plan enables around 80% of Helston’s residents to access facilities by bike without needing to cycle on a main road. It also includes plans for several improved road crossings around the town."

Having developed the draft plan, the team is now asking for public input to further develop and finalise the proposals, which would then go out to funding bids.

To make a comment or add an idea online visit https://discoverhelston.co.uk/projects/ Alternatively send a message via the Discover Helston feedback form under the feedback section of the website. The team is also happy to present the proposals for discussion with any interested groups or organisations.

Mr Turnbull added: "Following this consultation exercise, the ‘Walking and Cycling Strategy’ will be finalised and the team will bid for capital funding to implement the proposals. It is hoped that Cornwall Council will start to implement works, especially those relating to some of the important road crossings, from mid 2022."