THE MP for North Cornwall has accused the government of ‘kicking the can down the road’ over whether it will commit to funding proposals to make the long-awaited Camelford bypass a reality.

The ‘A39 Atlantic Highway: Camelford bypass’ project comprises a four kilometre long bypass which it is said will significantly improve journey times and remove around 80 per cent of through-traffic from Camelford high street, which would be supported by complementary town centre measures.

Hopes were high that the road, which is proposed to take traffic away from the often-congested A39 through the town would finally become a reality after the previous government announced it would fund the works through the ‘savings’ created by axing the second part of the High Speed Two railway project which had been proposed between London and Manchester.

However, after the general election, the Labour government said it would initiate a funding review of projects announced by its predecessor amid claims that the promises were ‘unfunded’ and part of a multi-billion budgetary ‘black hole’.

Nine months after taking office, no answer has yet been provided by the government despite repeated calls from North Cornwall’s MP for clarity either way.

Mr Maguire said that he was continuing to press the issue with the government alongside a recent meeting to discuss proposals to extend the Camel Trail, which links Bodmin to Padstow via Wadebridge, in addition to Bodmin Moor at Wenfordbridge on the former railway lines, to Camelford.

He added that the “bypass proposal had been floating around for quite literally decades” and that the residents and businesses of the town were fed up and unable to plan for the future without a concrete answer over the plans future.

The need for a Camelford bypass through the town became even more pertinent after the main road through the town had to be closed for a number of weeks last year after a building began to collapse.

Mr Maguire said: “Despite repeated demands for clarity on the status and plans of the proposed Camelford Bypass from this Government since I was elected - through numerous letters to Ministers, official Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs), and other means – it seems that they’re very much kicking the can down the road time after time, and will not release any solid information about their plans.

“All I want is for the people of Camelford to have a simple ‘yes or no’. The bypass proposal has been floating around for quite literally decades now, and I know first hand that the town’s residents are fed up. They want to know if a bypass will be built or not, once and for all, so that business and residents alike can plan accordingly.

“I have reassured constituents who’ve got in touch recently to raise the issue that I will absolutely be keeping the pressure on, and alongside the campaign to have the Camel Trail extended to Camelford, will continue to press Ministers for urgent answers – including a letter directly to Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood, sent this morning.”