Construction of the Northern Access Road interim link road has been completed, marking a significant milestone in providing sustainable transport links to the proposed new Garden Village.
A hybrid planning application which includes outline planning permission for the Langarth scheme, together with full planning permission for the Northern Access Road (NAR) was submitted to Cornwall Council in November 2020. It is due to be determined later this year.
What is the Interim Link Road?
Planning permission for the interim link road, which runs for 200 metres north parallel to the existing tree line, was granted in March 2020. The road will provide access for the first 300 new homes and to the new primary school due to be constructed in the first phase of the Garden Village project.
The interim link road will also provide access for the construction of the NAR which will connect all the developments on the Langarth site, provide a rear access to the Park and Ride site and provide an alternative route to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske avoiding the A390.
What are the plans for transport at Langarth Garden Village?
Providing good connectivity is vital to the success of new communities as well as for the businesses and the people who work there. One of our key priorities at Langarth is to provide integrated and accessible transport links, with people prioritised over cars. The NAR is being designed to be pedestrian friendly, with a 20mph speed limit and new footways and segregated cycleways along its entire 4km length.
We want people to use public transport wherever possible, and are planning to provide improved bus services linking to Treliske hospital and Truro, with bus stops at 500 metre (1/3 mile) intervals. Cycle parking, e-bike charging and seating areas at bus stops will help to encourage their use as community meeting areas.
We know that encouraging people to use their car less will take time and are working hard to ensure that sustainable transport options will be available as the development progresses. The completion of the interim link road means we are ready to take the next steps to providing these good connections by starting to deliver the Northern Access Road.
When did work begin on constructing the ILR?
Construction of the link road began in September 2020 following the official signing of the £47.45m funding contract for the design and construction of the NAR by Homes England and Cornwall Council in August. Part of the wider Northern Access Road scheme, the link road has been funded by the Government.
The road has been constructed by CORMAC Solutions Ltd. While the introduction of the lockdowns in November and January meant having to adapt the site to meet the Covid restrictions, the road has been completed on schedule.
CORMAC have also worked very hard to protect the impact of the construction of the road on wildlife and the environment. Two small sections of the existing hedgerow had to be removed to enable access to the site.
As well as replacing the sections which had been removed, additional lengths of new Cornish hedges have been created, helping to more than double the overall biodiversity on the site. No trees were cut down during the construction of the road.
All excavated material, including surplus topsoil, has been stockpiled for use during the later stages of the NAR.
Following the opening of the major A390 West Langarth junction, (and subject to planning permission) , the interim link road will be closed to normal traffic and become a bus gate.
