A BUSINESS boss is calling for a safety improvements scheme in Newquay to be stopped following fears the town is already struggling to cope with major road works being undertaken.

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren argues a Cornwall Council project to improve pedestrian safety at Nansledan should not go ahead due to the damage to trade and exacerbate congestion the town is already enduring from the Mid Cornwall Metro works in Cliff Road.

The Nansledan scheme, which us due to undertaken between Monday, October 26 and April, involves the installation of a new signal-controlled pedestrian crossing, a zebra crossing, widened pedestrian refuge islands and improvements to existing crossing points. The works will be carried out by Cormac in several phases, with sections of Quintrell Road, Airport Road, William Hosking Road and Stret Euther Penndragon affected.

Various roads will be closed 24 hours a day whilst the works are completed, which include Quintrell Road between October 26 and November 13, the airport road from January 18 to February 1, William Hosking Road between February 1 and 15 and Stret Euther Penndragon between February 15 and March 5. Signing, lighting and guarding works will take place on Stret Euther Penndragon between March 8 and March 19. Final road surfacing works will take place, requiring further road closures and four-way temporary traffic lights at various locations ferom March 22 to April 7. Signing, lighting and guarding works will continue on Quintrell Road from March 22 to April 9.

The road works follows the Make Nansledan Safer — Demand Urgent Action on the A3059 campaign being launched after concerns were raised about pedestrian safety since the route fully opened.

But Mr Warren is holding a number of meetings with Cornwall Council representatives including Dan Rogerson, the cabinet member for transport, to see if the Nansledan pedestrian safety works can be postponed.

Mr Warren said: “Children’s safety is important but whilst we already have the major works going on for the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme, I think it is unbelievable the council then decides to start another major road works that will further impact trade and transport. I’m shocked and disappointed that decision has been made. It is a very poor decision. These works will add to the chaos.

“It beggars belief that end of Newquay will have two sets of major road works at the same time. We already have nine months of diversions around Cliff Road and there are huge congestion problems during school pick up and drop off times.

“My request to Cornwall Council is not to go ahead with the major Nansledan works on the outskirts of Newquay whilst we already have these major diversions in place for nine months, which is creating issues. That end of town journeys into Newquay are already tricky. I will talk to Cornwall Council representatives to see if changes can be made.

“The Duchy should have put the crossing in at the time the road was being built.

The project has been coordinated alongside other major infrastructure schemes in the area, including the Mid Cornwall Metro and utility works. Cornwall Council has been approached for comment.