CORNWALL Council has announced its ambitions to push forward with plans for a bypass for Camelford.  

Councillors, officers and North Cornwall MP Scott Mann met with roads minister, MP Guy Opperman to discuss the scheme which would see a bypass built around Camelford.  

During the meeting, it was made clear by the minister that the project has the support of Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak — explaining that this is the reason funds have been provisionally made available from HS2 for it as part of the Network North announcement in October.  

While several road projects have been cancelled or postponed by the Department for Transport due to inflationary pressures, the Camelford scheme remains on the table.   

Speaking to the Post, Conservative Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and Boscastle, Barry Jordan said: “I was delighted to get the news from Scott Mann and the subsequent press release, this is a very welcome piece of information, not just for Camelford but for Slaughter Bridge, Camelford Station and the Sportsman’s area of Camelford as the summer traffic is routed through those areas and has caused massive problems.

“There is still a bit of work to do but now the PM has come out in support of the project I hope we have some very good news for the area of Camelford and of course North Cornwall early in the new year, let’s start 2024 on a positive note for North Cornwall.” 

Cornwall Council leader, Linda Taylor (Cons), added: “Thanks to campaigning by local Member of Parliament, Scott Mann, and work done by Cornwall Council, the Camelford scheme remains on the table, subject to final costings and treasury support.  I want to assure residents that their Council and their MP are working together on this and that the Camelford bypass proposals have the full backing of Cornwall Council.”  

One of the key individuals in ensuring the project remains on the cards is Conservative North Cornwall MP Scott Mann.  

Speaking about the recent announcement, he said: “I am grateful for the additional work the Council has done on this scheme, and for their renewed commitment to delivering on this project. I have spoken with the Transport Secretary who has assured me he and his officials will do everything they can to support the council in its work. 

“Building this bypass would revolutionise life in Camelford, so I’m delighted to have secured political backing in Westminster for the scheme, subject to Cornwall Council submitting an acceptable Outline Business Case. I’ve met with the council and the Roads Minister, and we have agreed a path forward, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of the council’s work early in the New Year.” 

However, not everyone is convinced that plans will come to fruition, one resident said: It’s a joke, it’s just not going to happen. We have waited 40 years, plus we’ll properly have to wait another 40.” 

While another added: “Love a good yarn! Been on about it for years, it [Cornwall Council] says it’s an ambition...people have ambitions to be a lottery winner. Seldom happens.” 

The town’s mayor, Cllr Rob Rotchell, has said this news is ‘encouraging’ and that he can see the benefits it would bring.

Speaking to the Post he said: “The latest announcement about the Camelford bypass is encouraging. The continued support of Cornwall Council is a vital part of securing the funding to a project that would completely transform Camelford.  

“The work on the business case for the bypass has been ongoing for many years and precedes the current MP and administration at Cornwall Council. We have had a number of false dawns in the past but we remain cautiously optimistic that the funding to actually build this vital piece of infrastructure will be made available in the new year.” 

Cllr Richard Williams-Pears, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport, recognised that this project has been ‘a long time coming’ but hoped its completion would greatly benefit the town. 

He said: “I know how many people in Camelford want to see this project completed. The town has suffered for many years with queuing traffic and could be transformed by taking traffic from the town centre, a priority I happily support.”  What are your thoughts on this announcement? Let us know by emailing [email protected]