New footbridge reconnects St Blazey and Luxulyan Valley

For months, walkers picking their way along the path between St Blazey and the Luxulyan Valley had to watch their footing rather than the scenery. The old bridge carrying the route across the stream had reached the end of its working life, and every crossing depended on repairs holding just a little longer. That patience has paid off.

📷Credit: Cormac

A crossing worn out by years of use

The route is one of the county’s quieter but more valued connections: a popular off-road link between Par railway station and the Luxulyan Valley, one of Cornwall’s World Heritage Sites. For anyone heading out from St Blazey it offers a way into the valley without needing a car, but the old footbridge carrying the path across the water had reached the end of its life.

📷Credit: Cormac

Keeping the route open while a permanent fix was planned

Rather than close the path outright, temporary repairs kept it usable while a longer-term solution was worked out. The work was carried out on behalf of Cornwall Council, with investment coming through the council’s Capital Safety Programme. Careful planning went into the permanent replacement so that access along the route could be maintained throughout.

📷Credit: Cormac

A new bridge and safer path for the valley

Cormac has now completed a replacement footbridge, along with improvements to the path surfaces either side of it. The result is a safer, more accessible route for anyone walking between St Blazey and the Luxulyan Valley, whether they are heading for the World Heritage Site itself or simply out for a walk from Par railway station.

Protecting Cornwall’s rights of way network

The scheme is being held up as an example of what keeping the county’s public rights of way in good repair can do. A well maintained network like this one keeps communities connected and lets people enjoy Cornwall’s landscapes and heritage on foot. It’s a modest scheme by Cornwall’s standards, one bridge and a stretch of path, but it keeps a link between a village and a World Heritage Site open for whoever wants to walk it next, on foot from the station or straight out from St Blazey.

📷Credit: Cormac