Female cyclists have rallied to voice their displeasure over fears a cycle bridge over the A30 could be abandoned, saying the alternative tunnel will leave them unsafe and vulnerable. Cyclists have been lobbying Cornwall Council in a bid to secure the construction of the originally planned footbridge near where the notoriously dangerous Chiverton Cross roundabout now stands.

Protesters recently gathered in Chiverton to show their support for the proposed £2.68million cycle bridge to cross the A30 to Starbucks as part of the St Agnes to Truro Saints Trail. The bridge is feared to be abandoned due to cost concerns and residents are expected to use a long and narrow tunnel-like underpass that has already been installed 800 meters away.

Both are part of the long-running works on the new dual carriageway between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross. Potential users of the bridge believe that not building the bridge would be a false economy that would fatally damage a route which they believe could otherwise be a revolutionary step forward for transport, health and the environment in Cornwall.

Read more: Demands that the A30 footbridge near Chiverton Cross not be abandoned as the new underpass nearby is ‘too intimidating’

The underpass is 74 meters long but only four meters wide, leaving only a small space for cycling. An independent report by transport consultants, Transport Initiatives LLP, said that although it would be lit, the length “would be extremely claustrophobic day or night”. The report concludes that the underpass is an unsatisfactory option and recommends that “the cycle and pedestrian route across the A30 is via the bridge option, on a direct alignment”.

A group of women from the St Agnès district posed in front of the underpass to express their concern. Leanne, from Porthtowan, said: ‘I use the Chiverton roundabout now but wouldn’t want to walk through that underpass. Martha from St Agnes added: “The underpass is intimidating and not appropriate. Feeling safe is a very important part of choosing your route as a commuter, especially as a woman. The underpass is likely to put off future bike users.

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John Wetherill, from Truro Cycling Campaign, said: “We’ve had a lot of similar feedback and I wouldn’t like to have to cycle alone when I come home from work, especially in the winter. Several people made reference to the underpass on Lemon Quay in Truro, saying they felt uncomfortable even with it. The A30 underpass will be almost three times longer and in an isolated location.

Four years ago the underpass was included in the A30 improvement scheme ‘at the last minute’ when the public protested that a safe and direct cycle path had not been included. At this late stage, National Highways was concerned that adding a bridge would delay the huge dual carriageway project, so the underpass was added to meet the minimum standards for a level crossing at a cost minimal, some of the protesters said.

In parallel, National Highways has worked with Cornwall Council to develop a separate road linking St Agnes to Truro as part of the Saints Trails package of projects – a £19million scheme of new cycle routes around Cornwall – including including a bridge near Starbucks. Both recognized the strategic importance of the bridge in enabling more people to cycle. It was not until the Truro Cycling Campaign received sufficient guarantees regarding the delivery of the bridge and trail, including funding for national highways, that it dropped its opposition to the underpass so that the road project could receive approval. planning permission.

Worried cyclists say the underpass will be isolated, won’t feel safe and is a detour from the main cycle path. The proposed bridge will link the St Agnes cycle route directly to Truro and will bring a step change to transport in the area, they say. This will allow people living north of the A30 to cycle to key destinations such as the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro Leisure Centre, Truro College and Threemilestone Business Park, while more of people in Truro, Threemilestone and the new town development of Langarth Garden Village being able to cycle to the north coast. It is believed that the separate route with the bridge could lead to a considerable increase in cycle fares, allowing people to save on fuel costs associated with driving.

Following fears the bridge could be lost, Truro Cycling Campaign launched a petition calling on the council to deliver the St Agnes to Truro Saints Trail as originally planned – including the bridge and the separate section along Teagle Straight. The petition was signed by over 2,000 people and was delivered to Cornwall Council.

Due to increased costs, additional funds may be required to fund the trail and bridge. Truro Cycling Campaign has asked Cornwall Council to seek this funding from National Highways which received much of their funding when Saints Trails projects were halted last year.

National Highways indicated it was receptive to the idea saying it understands “the importance of the bridge to the cycling network and local communities”. He also indicated that he will consider a request for funding for the paths along Teagle Straight currently removed from the project. CornwallLive has asked for clarification on the plans around the bridge.

It comes as the Saint Trails project has become an embarrassment to Cornwall Council. The ambitious Saints Trails project, which Cornish Council is working on with National Highways money, was originally intended to provide several 30km of cycle paths between Cornish towns.

The £19m scheme has been in the works for years and has already been described by advisers as an ‘absolute disaster’, ‘total shambles’, ‘fiasco’ and ‘mess’ because it was so wrong managed that a million pounds sterling was recovered. by the funder. It was expected to take longer than expected and be over budget by £6million, while the council tried to buy land for it – threatening to force some owners to sell – and offered a couple, have- they say, £1.2m to tear down their home.