Big Changes Ahead: New Road Layout Trial Set for St Ives This Month

Trial begins November 17th

A major change to the way traffic moves through the centre of St Ives is set to begin later this month, as Cornwall Council trials a new road layout on Tregenna Hill.

From Monday, 17th November, only buses, cyclists and emergency services (including lifeboat crews on active duty) will be permitted to drive northbound down Tregenna Hill from The Terrace. All traffic will still be allowed to travel southbound up the hill.

The aim of the trial, which will be implemented under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), is to improve traffic flow and reduce the daily conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians in the busy town centre.

Reducing congestion and improving safety

The removal of northbound traffic is expected to reduce congestion caused by vehicles trying to pass each other on the narrow hill and make it easier for larger vehicles, including buses and lorries, to navigate tight corners.

Cornwall Council says the new layout aims to create a more controlled environment and provide a safer space for all users around Library Corner.

New signs will be installed at key points to alert drivers to the changes and offer alternative routes. Traffic marshals will also be present during the first week to help motorists unfamiliar with the new layout.

Other road changes around the town

Several other measures will be introduced alongside the Tregenna Hill trial:

• Albert Road will become one-way inbound, improving traffic flow and reducing delays.

• Dove Street will have an entry restriction at the western end.

• Street-an-pol will have a mandatory left turn.

• There will be no right turn at the bottom of Bedford Road.

• The direction of the existing one-way at Park Avenue will be reversed, allowing inbound traffic only towards Bullans Lane and the doctors’ surgery.

These adjustments are designed to reduce congestion and the number of stationary vehicles, while also potentially reducing the number of buses using Park Avenue.

Monitoring and community feedback

The ETRO allows Cornwall Council to modify the scheme throughout the trial period in response to specific issues or feedback. The trial will run for at least six months, but could last up to 18 months before a final decision is made.

Project Lead Kieren Couch said:

“We expect the changes to go a long way to addressing the core safety related issues on Tregenna Hill and Library Corner. However, given the complexity of the road network in St Ives, it is difficult to determine exactly how such changes will perform overall. The trial means we can monitor the effectiveness and realise both benefits and impacts before making any decision on whether to implement a permanent scheme.”

“The community can support us by providing their feedback, both positive and negative, allowing us to respond proactively and make informed decisions.”

Backed by the St Ives Town Deal

The ETRO has been developed by Cornwall Council in partnership with the St Ives Town Deal Board, with technical expertise from Cormac. The scheme is funded through the St Ives Low Carbon Transport Strategy, which received £3 million from the government’s Town Deal programme and £2.5 million match funding from Cornwall Council.

Chair of the Town Deal Board Andrew Baragwanath said:

“As a local person, I know there is no perfect solution to the needs of all road users in and around St Ives but this is an opportunity to see if we can improve the situation, whilst also improving the environment in our town.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport Cllr Dan Rogerson added:

“Tregenna Hill is a narrow road lined with narrow footways and shops either side, which means there are limited engineering options for improving safety and traffic flows. Being able to limit traffic under this experiment means we can trial these initiatives and assess the impact before making any permanent changes.”

Mayor of St Ives Cllr Johnnie Wells said:

“This is going to be a big change and we understand there will be reservations, but the current traffic situation, especially around Tregenna Hill and Library Corner just can’t carry on. We ask that everyone is patient, and gives it some time to bed in… but I believe this will be transformational for St Ives, and make driving through town easier, as well as reducing traffic and freeing up road space in order to make walking and cycling safer.”

Have your say

A dedicated Tregenna Hill ETRO webpage will be available on Let’s Talk Cornwall when the trial launches, allowing residents, businesses and visitors to provide feedback and view updates as the trial progresses.

The project team will actively monitor the scheme’s performance, with community feedback helping to shape the final decision on whether the layout becomes permanent.

For more information about the Town Deals programme, visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/towns-fund.