Falmouth rising bollard move public consultation response

Despite widespread publicity, only 134 people took part in the consultation conducted by Cormac on behalf of Cornwall Council, despite claims from traders and locals it would kill the high street.

The consultation on proposals to move the bollard from the junction of Market Street and Church Street to the entrance of Market Street started on September 12 last year. It ended on October 5.

Computer generated image of how the repositioned bollard could look (Image: Cormac/Cornwall Council)

Of the meagre 134 people who took part, 82 were in support with just 52 objecting.

This means that the recommendation is to do the Market Street Gateway Works which includes the bollard re-siting and some mitigations around additional disabled parking provisions.

Cllr David Saunby told the Packet that it was disappointing that so few people had taken part in consultation, despite well attended trader’s meetings to discuss the proposal.

“Very poor numbers taking part, considering the town’s population of over 26,000,” said Cllr Saunby.

“Not a convincing win by any means by just 30 votes, by the few that took part.”

He said only 24 businesses took part in the consultation. Ten in support, and 14 objecting.

“Time will tell whether or not that the moving of the bollard to the entrance of Market Street, denying all access to the Church Street Car Park between the hours of 11am and 4pm, with the exception of those with parking permits, will be beneficial to the traders, who's businesses are at stake here,” he said.

Computer generated image of how the repositioned bollard could look (Image: Cormac/Cornwall Council)

Six extra disabled spaces will be made available at Well Lane Car Park, to compensate for those lost in Church Street Car Park.

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However Cllr Saunby said the main street will never be fully pedestrianised, due to the numbers of exempted vehicles allowed to pass through between 11am and 4pm.

Church Street has been the subject of a traffic restriction order since 2022 restricting traffic from using the road between 11am and 4pm.

However a lack of enforcement led to complaints about a rise in the number of vehicles now entering the road during the pedestrian zone restricted hours.

A spokesperson from Cornwall Council said:  Since May 2021, Market Street (at the junction with Killigrew Street) and Church Street have been closed to through traffic between 11am and 4pm. However, following complaints about a rise in the number of vehicles using the road between the restricted hours, we put forward proposals to move the rising bollard to the entrance of the pedestrian zone at Market Street and install new signage, lining and a blended pedestrian crossing. 

"These proposals, which support the objectives of the Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan, have been backed by Falmouth Town Council and around 60% of respondents to the consultation. Work to relocate the bollard and highway improvements will take place later this year. 

"In response to concerns raised during the consultation about the loss of disabled parking at Church Street car park during the pedestrian zone hours, we are proposing to create additional disabled parking at Well Lane car park and Bank Place. These proposals will be subject to a further statutory consultation at a later date."