2 days ago
Nansledan residents urge safety upgrades on 'rat run' road
A new road in Newquay is being branded "an accident waiting to happen" by residents of a Duchy of Cornwall "Newquay strategic route" linking the south and east of the town opened in May, going through Nansledan along a previously dead-end road with no pedestrian who have launched a petition calling for urgent safety improvements, said the A3059 had become a rat run and there had been plenty of near misses duchy and Cornwall Council said they were monitoring traffic, speed and safety and would consider measures if surveys raise concerns.
Jake Martin, 25, who lives with his partner and two-year-old daughter in Nansledan, said recently they were "inches away from a terrible accident" when one driver overtook at speed another who had stopped to let them cross."My daughter's life was at risk at that moment and if I had pushed her out in her pram just a little bit further into the road who knows what it could have been," he Barrett, 80, said the road had "suddenly become like the British Grand Prix" despite the 30mph (48.2km/h) speed limit."It's outrageous the speed I see vehicles going through here now, it happens daily and in the evenings until two or three in the morning," he Victor Williams, 62, said it had "become a bit of a free for all" and more enforcement was needed.
More than 600 residents have signed the petition started by resident Jo Ingram demanding urgent action."We got about 12 near-misses and we thought enough is enough," the 33-year-old mother of two said."There doesn't really seem to be any urgency or action, which would be fine if it was a smaller issue, but this really feels like we're waiting for an accident to happen and we're really trying to push for change before there is something serious."Janice Swanson, who has lived in Nansledan since 2019, said the road had become much busier but businesses were suffering as traffic was now passing through and were unable to stop."We need a 20mph limit along this stretch and ideally not have double lines," she said."We definitely need proper pedestrian crossings," she said.
Surveys taking place
Cornwall Council said it was working with the duchy to monitor traffic levels and pedestrian said it would consider additional measures if surveys raise any concerns."The new road's 30mph limit is in line with similar A roads on the surrounding road network," it said."Nansledan's main roads have been designed to naturally encourage lower speeds and create a walkable, safe and pleasant neighbourhood without the need for more formal engineering features."A spokesman for the duchy said: "All main roads in Nansledan undergo a full technical assessment and road safety audit by Cornwall Council, which is the local highways authority. "This has been the case throughout the development, including the route in question. "We will continue to work alongside the council to monitor traffic and pedestrian safety in the area and to consider any further measures where needed."
