Truro Green Transport Scheme Completed Along Malpas Road

A £1.2 million transport scheme aimed at improving walking and cycling routes in Truro has now been completed, delivering a series of changes along Malpas Road and key connections across the city.

The Truro Green Transport scheme was funded and delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the Truro Town Deal Board. It forms one of seven projects within the wider Truro Town Deal programme.

Why the work was needed

Malpas Road had been identified as a challenging route for people on foot or by bike, largely due to fast moving traffic and the road’s narrow layout. This made access difficult to popular riverside areas including the Newham Trail, Malpas and Boscawen Park, as well as links to the national cycle network.

The aim of the scheme was to create safer and more accessible routes, encourage walking and cycling, and improve connections between existing paths and green spaces for both residents and visitors.

Changes along Malpas Road

The first phase of the scheme focused on Malpas Road itself. This included replacing the former Pendeen Road roundabout with a landscaped green space and a new T junction.

A 20 mph speed limit has been introduced along the road, supported by traffic calming features. Access to footpaths has been improved, alongside new crossing points linking people to the riverside. New planting, paving and seating have also been added, with changes to on street parking bays and resurfacing works completed towards the end of the scheme.

Safer access from Trafalgar Roundabout

The second phase concentrated on the entrance to Malpas Road from Trafalgar Roundabout. The existing crossing and junction were redesigned to slow vehicles entering the road and make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to move through the area.

This work included removing and rebuilding the splitter island, realigning the junction, installing new kerbs and footways, and adding dropped crossings to improve accessibility.

All works across both phases were carried out by Cormac.

What the project team said

Project lead Kieren Couch said many people had previously avoided walking or cycling along the river edge on Malpas Road due to traffic speed and limited crossing points.

“We knew that many people were reluctant to walk or cycle along the river edge on Malpas Road because of the lack of crossings and the speed of the traffic,” said Kieren. “Unfortunately the space constraints along this road meant that it was not possible to create either a designated cycle path or a shared space. This meant we had to look at other ways to improve safety and provide better facilities for walking and cycling.

“While there were also additional challenges as a result of rising construction costs and the availability of land, which meant some of the original designs had to be amended, the final scheme provides better and safer routes and new green spaces for all to enjoy, whether travelling by bike or on foot.”

Town Deal vision for Truro

With the final stage now complete, Chair of the Truro Town Deal Board Alan Stanhope joined members of the transport project to view the finished work.

“Our vision at the start of the Town Deal programme in 2021 was to create a ‘connected river city’,” said Alan. “There was considerable public support for the Truro Loops project and one of the key aims of the Green Transport scheme was to build on the success of the first phase of the Loops and make it safer and more pleasant to travel around the city.”

Alan added that Town Deal funding is also supporting a range of other improvements across Truro, including Harbour and Lemon Quay investment, Town Quay works, new subway lighting and enhancements at Garras Wharf.

“In the future people will be able to walk or cycle from Lemon Quay to Newham and then across the new Lighterage Bridge to Boscawen Park, where Town Deal funding is supporting the development of the new Community Sports Hub and improvements to the playing pitches, and travel down Malpas Road to Trafalgar roundabout,” he said.

“I am very proud of the work which is being carried out in Truro as a result of Town Deal investment. The community can now travel more safely around the city for work or leisure, as well as accessing key areas such as the Newham Trail, Malpas and Boscawen Park.”

Funding behind the scheme

Truro was awarded £23.6 million from the Government’s Town Deal funding in June 2021. The Green Transport scheme has been delivered using £1.9 million of Town Deal funding, alongside £300,000 of match funding from Cornwall Council. The funding also supports the ongoing development of the Lighterage Bridge project.

More information about the national Town Deal programme can be found on the Government website via the Towns Fund collection. Details about Truro’s allocation and projects are available at the Truro Town Fund website.