Mousehole resurfacing brings five weeks of clearway and towing

Anyone who parks on the roads through Mousehole will want to know about this one before next week. From Wednesday 7 October, cars left in the wrong place during the working day could be towed away, and getting your vehicle back will cost you.

The Penwith Community Area Partnership has shared notice that carriageway repair works are coming to Mousehole, with the road resurfaced under a phased closure through the village.

When the Mousehole works take place

Work starts on Wednesday 7 October and runs between 07.30 and 17.00 each weekday. It is expected to take up to five weeks to complete.

The scheme is part of Cornwall Council’s highway maintenance programme for October and November 2026, and is being delivered by Cormac.

The five phases

A map issued with the notice splits the work into five colour-coded phases:

• Phase 1: 6 days
• Phase 2: 3 days
• Phase 3: 5 days
• Phase 4: 5 days
• Phase 5: 4 days

An additional clearway area is also marked on the map to keep access open while the works go on. The leaflet notes that the phasing is approximate and could change.

📷Clearway, diversion and access details for the Mousehole works. Credit: Cornwall Council/Cormac

Clearway: what happens to parked cars

During working hours a Clearway Parking Zone will be in force along the full extent of the site. Any vehicles parked in the signed areas during that time will be towed and charges will apply. Any designated parking bays within the area will be suspended.

The clearway is declared under the Traffic Management Act 2004. Households and businesses in the affected area should get a letter before work starts, and signs will be put up to let road users know about the restrictions.

The site team says it will make every effort to find the driver or owner of a parked car before asking for it to be removed. If a vehicle is towed, an approved contractor will take it to a safe place, and the owner or keeper will need to phone 0300 1234 222 to arrange collection.

Getting in and out of the village

Access for residents and businesses will be kept open through gateways managed by traffic marshals, but significant delays are expected. Residents will need to stop at the gateways, where staff will help them into or out of the site using the right route.

If teams need to move machinery out of the way, there could be longer waits, or drivers may be asked to go in from the other end of the closure. Emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Signs at major junctions will direct non-through traffic away from the closure. Diversions have to suit the type of traffic that normally uses the route, and the leaflet acknowledges they can sometimes be quite lengthy.

Buses and The Parade

There is one change of plan for bus users. Previous consultation had confirmed that a section of the bus stop on The Parade would be removed, but that has since been revoked following the alteration to bus provision to Mousehole. The current arrangement, with two bus stops, will remain.

For changes to bus services during the works, check the providers’ own websites or Cornwall Council’s planned public transport service disruptions page.

Hazards to watch for

People on foot are asked to look out for:

• Uneven road surfaces where the old surface has been removed
• Raised manholes, gullies and other service boxes
• Varying kerb heights when stepping off the footway

Any designated crossing points should be used.

If the weather turns

Resurfacing depends on the weather and can be held up by cold temperatures and heavy rain. If the work is postponed or cancelled, the team says it will try to update the advance notice boards on site.

Up-to-date information on roadworks and closures across the county is on one.network. Questions about the resurfacing can go to [email protected], and road or footway problems can be reported through Cornwall Council’s report a road issue page. For anything that is a threat to public safety, the 24-hour number is 0300 1234 222.

📷The Mousehole Carriageway Repair Works leaflet. Credit: Cornwall Council/Cormac