Truro Waterside Improvements Set to Begin in Early 2026

Truro’s long-awaited waterside overhaul is gathering pace, with major upgrades at Lemon Quay, Town Quay and Lighterage Bridge scheduled to begin in early 2026. The programme forms part of one of the seven Truro Town Deal projects aimed at reconnecting people with the city’s riverside areas.

Lemon Quay to Lead the Way

Lemon Quay is expected to be the first area to see work start, with a three-month programme scheduled for January next year. The plans include an enhanced events space with a projector and improved lighting, more green landscaping with newly planted trees, better benches and street furniture, and upgraded cycle parking linked to Town Deal funded Green Transport investment.

At the same time, Truro City Council is developing a new Events Strategy for Lemon Quay. More than 1,800 people took part in a recent survey about how the space should be used. While the results are still being considered, there was strong backing for more activity on the quay. According to the figures, 86 percent of respondents would like to see food markets, 77 percent want craft or street food markets, 74 percent support music on the quay and more than 60 percent would like cultural and heritage events on Lemon Quay.

📷Subway Murals December 20205

Lighterage Bridge Progress

January 2026 is also expected to see the submission of a pre-application for a Transport and Works Act Order to the Department for Transport for Lighterage Bridge. This order is needed to alter navigation rights on the Truro River and requires extensive environmental surveys. A full application is anticipated for spring 2026.

Cornwall Council has already taken steps to safeguard the delivery of the bridge beyond the Town Deal spending period. This has been made possible through cost neutral adjustments across the wider Town Deal portfolio in Cornwall.

Town Quay Works Expected in Spring 2026

Spring 2026 is set to bring further activity, with works planned across Town Quay, the former Compton Castle area, the subway and Garras Wharf. These will include dredging of working quays, a new day boat and dinghy pontoon, surfacing and access improvements, new flag poles, a more welcoming subway with lighting and imagery, pathway upgrades at Garras Wharf and cycle parking.

Dredging work is expected to begin in late spring. This will lengthen the tidal window by giving vessels more under-keel clearance, allowing more boats to travel into Truro and stay for longer.

Funding and Commitment

The Harbour and Lemon Quay scheme forms part of the Truro Town Investment Plan, which secured £23.6 million of Town Deal funding in 2021. The Truro Town Deal Board allocated up to £10.4 million for the scheme, with a further £1.28 million from Cornwall Council.

Despite a budget reduced by a third due to inflation, the project has retained strong backing from the Truro Town Deal Board and Cornwall Council. Both say they have continued to refine plans to keep them on track with local aspirations.

Alan Stanhope, Truro Town Deal Board Chair, said: “We are all living and working in a very different financial place to that of 2021 when the Truro Town Investment Plan was published but Truro Town Deal remains committed to delivering on local aspirations for the city. Our plans continue to evolve to meet financial pressures and remain true to the vision and spirit of the Town Investment Plan.”

Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “Town Deal has created a fantastic opportunity to make real changes to Truro that will benefit residents and visitors alike. I am grateful for the hard work of everyone and look forward to seeing these plans help breathe new life into the city.”

📷Lemon Quay Masterplan December 2025