New road layout to cut congestion to be trialled

Only buses, cyclists and emergency services will be allowed to drive down Tregenna Hill

Changes are being made to the road layout in the centre of a busy Cornish town.

From 17 November, cars will only be be able to drive up Tregenna Hill in St Ives as part of a trial.

The Mayor of St Ives Johnnie Wells said it would be "a big change" but he thought it would be "transformational" in reducing traffic and making walking and cycling safer.

The trial funded through the St Ives Town Deal is set to be in place for at least six months but may be extended up to 18 months.

Only buses, cyclists and emergency services will be allowed to drive down Tregenna Hill - all traffic will be able to drive up the hill.

The new layout is hoped to reduce congestion in the narrow points and improve traffic flow.

Wells said: "This is the entranceway in to St Ives at the moment and everyone seems to converge here.

"What we want to do is stop it being that convergent point and redistribute traffic through the town higher up, where there's more space."

Johnnie Wells said the trial would redirect traffic higher up in the town

Gary Ridley, 59, from Halsetown, said: "In the summer you can't move so I can understand why they're doing it."

Natalie Preston, 45, grew up in St Ives and said: "Unfortunately we've had someone run over here and killed, so ultimately it's about people's safety, isn't it? I think it's worth a try."

During the first week of the trial, traffic marshals will be in place at key locations to help support drivers who may be unaware or unsure of the changes.

Other measures being introduced as part of this trial include:

• making Albert Road one-way inbound

• an entry restriction on the western end of Dove Street

• a mandatory left turn at Street-an-pol

• no right turn at the bottom of Bedford Road

• reversing the direction of one-way at Park Avenue

Natalie Preston said safety was the priority