Work to get rid of a ‘rat run’ is expected to last for six months, motorists and residents have been warned. Plans to rid Penzance of its unattractive northern gateway will start next week.
The project will see improved access for pedestrians and cyclists at Causewayhead and will provide a more attractive road into the seaside town.
The scheme is being funded by the Penzance Town Deal Sustainable Travel Network project which aims to transform travel in and around the town. The project is being delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the Penzance Town Deal Board.
Town Deal bosses in Penzance said Causewayhead is seen as an unattractive gateway into the town for those travelling from the north. They added: “It also experiences problems with ‘rat running’ and has a lack of footways, with some of the existing pedestrian crossings in the wrong places.”
Statutory consultation on the proposals was carried out in 2024. This resulted in a change to the final design to retain pedestrian crossings as requested by the local community.
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As part of the work, new walkway and cycling connectivity will be created along with improved crossings, increased footway space and traffic calming measures. The team behind the scheme added that it will also “complement the new Creative Cluster building and create a more attractive gateway with additional open green space, new planting and seating on the high street.”
Specific enhancements include widening the existing footway on Causewayhead, installing new granite paving and tactile paving, improving the existing zebra crossing on St Clare St and providing a raised table pedestrian crossing where Causewayhead meets Clarence Street. The existing zebra crossing on Taroveor Road will also be removed and replaced with an uncontrolled “build out” crossing point, which reduces crossing distance for pedestrians.
The carriageway will be fully resurfaced with new road markings, and pedestrian areas will receive new decorative landscaping and street furniture such as benches and bicycle stands.
The scheme is being constructed by Cormac, with three-way traffic lights in use for the majority of the work to enable the team to work safely. Cormac project manager Tom James said: “This is a busy area and, while we understand the importance of keeping the traffic flowing as well as possible at all times during the construction, we also need to ensure the safety of the teams working on site.
“We recognise that the works will inevitably cause some temporary disruption to motorists and will be monitoring the traffic closely to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible and delays are kept to a minimum.”
Access for residents and businesses, and for deliveries and to car parks will be maintained at all times. The final resurfacing and application of road markings will be carried out at nighttime towards the end of the programme, as a full road closure will be required.
The works are currently due to be completed in June 2025.
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