Debate on the controversial £4-million Penzance ring road 1980

Halfhidden

Untouchable
Administrator
PENWITH'S ANTICIPATED debate on the controversial £4-million Penzance ring road scheme almost ended in a cul-de-sac. For over an hour, with a majority of the district council members speaking they debated the issue of whether to support it.
The chairman of the council, Mr Herbert Lutey, supported it, but so strong was the opposition that even the chairman of the development services committee, Mr Reg Rowe, was against it. It ended with support by the narrowest of margins, just one vote 16-15. And at Truro on Tuesday the planning committee members decided to come and tour the whole site.


The "ring road." which should keep Penzance clear of 'through- traffic which chokes the town on its way to Land’s End in summer, and would also have proved useful during the present rebuilding of the Ross Bridge along the harbour front, is planned to run from Trereife near Newlyn to the Eastern Green and between Penzance and Long Rock.
It will have roundabouts at Mount Misery and Heamoor and will then run to the junction off Treneere Lane and Manor Way, and alongside Polmeere Road, to the top of Chyandour Lane, until it readies Ponsandane and goes to the Eastern Green roundabout and- to the North Of the heliport. - The application had been forwarded to Penwith for consultation by the county planning officer. Mr Harry Calder.
Mr John Richards who led the opposition, said the support from the development services committee was a minority one, for although seven voted for, there were four against and five abstained. A petition of 161 signature had come mainly from the Heamoor area, and he stressed that the environmental problems of this road' were very serious. He questioned the need for the road at all.
"It would be needed for only a few weeks of the year, and with the cost would be a misjudgement and a mistake."
Mr Richards added. Mr. Reg Rowe felt the committee voting showed the element of doubt that existed. The Boscathnoe road, now being used as a relief road, could be improved at less cost.
He wondered what effect this ring road would have on the A30 at Lands’ End, on trade at Penzance whether it would also serve the St. Just area.
Mr Peter Badcock in favour, said those who lived at the Eastern side of the town knew what the problem was with traffic jams as far as Ludgvan Lease but he hoped that when it was approved by the county council the interests of farmers and traders in the area would be given consideration. There was no doubt in Mr Oakley Eddy's mind Seconding Mr Richards he declared;
It’s a Luxury in these hard times that we can ill afford, and it is questionable in good times
.
Mr George W Cocks said it would be cheaper to improve the Crowlas to Tremethick Cross road.

Mr John Daniel, who abstained at the committee meeting, and voted against at the council meeting said the problem was for six weeks in the summer Council vice-chairman. Mr Arthur Berrymam felt that far from helping tourism and traders in Penzance it would have the reverse effect. All the “lovely money” would be driven around the town the price was far too high and there would be the destruction Of Polgoon Castle Horneck and Nancealverne.
Mr Gundry Cock, however said that an exhibition was held in 1974 and the majority of the public preferred this scheme, and then it went to the environment services who approved it and recommended the route should be safeguarded by planning stipulations.
Industry in the area, particularly St Just would benefit from the road
, said Mr Hicks. The congestion East of Penzance would be eased.

The bypass around Marazion and Hayle will bring a jam not only to Ludgvan Lease but all the way back to Connor Downs because of the bottleneck entering Penzance he told the committee and the Penzance road was part of this strategy. St Just needed industry to live and grow commented Rev David Jasper. He was against despoliation of land if there was a choice between jobs for his parishioners and children in the next, 30 to 40 years, and whether the land went, he would choose jobs and industry and the future viability of this place.

Mr Jim Batten though, said the road was not acceptable to some parts of Penzance and especially Alverton Estate for he was concerned at the effect the major feeder road, to the town from Mount Misery would have on safety.
The' Mayor of Panzance Mr John Laity told members that his council strongly supported the new road although they were concerned about the Mount Misery section.
 

denanmor

Member
Fascinating. I remember Penzance pre-distributor road, and know it now. On the whole it is a good thing. I can't imagine what the traffic in Penzance would be like without it, however the land used for it is still greatly missed.
 

Halfhidden

Untouchable
Administrator
It is fascinating reading these articles isn't it. You can see how divided the town councillors were over the whole thing, yet some had forward vision and others had blinkers on. Thank god they built it lol *wisdom
 
Top Bottom