Town centre

traffic plans

A SCHEME to make walking to the town centre in Torpoint safer is being put forward by Cornwall County Council.

The project involves placing a new pelican crossing on Harvey Street, the main traffic route through the town, making part of Fore Street one-way for vehicles and closing some junctions to motorists.

The county council believes putting in a crossing and changing the traffic flows near Sparrow Park at the northern end of Fore Street is the best way to make pedestrian access safer to this part of the town's main shopping area.

Traffic engineering officer Ian Pearn who is the project manager for the scheme said: "There have been pedestrian safety concerns in this area."

The new crossing would be placed across Harvey Street just south of its junction with Rowe Street.

The crossing would be near a bend in the main road and several existing junctions. To reduce potential hazards, the county council proposes to close some of the junctions and lessen traffic movements.

Vehicles would no longer be able to use the junction of Harvey Street with Rowe Street, the entrance to the side street being covered with an extension of the Harvey Street pavement.

And the small street south of Sparrow Park, linking Fore Street with Harvey Street, would be pedestrianised.

Fore Street, between Harbour Street and its northern end, would become one-way. Traffic would travel north only along this section of the street. People driving down from Antony Road would no longer be able to drive straight into Fore Street, having instead to turn in via Harbour Street.

To make the turn into Harbour Street safer, the county council is proposing to ban vehicles from parking on part of this street.

"There could be a new 'gateway' feature in Antony Road to let drivers know that there has been a change in the characteristics of the road ahead. There could be a pedestrian island there so people could cross at that point," said Mr Pearn.

Members of the public, local authorities, the emergency services and other organisations are being invited to comment on the proposals before November 23.

If the scheme goes ahead, it is scheduled to be in place before the end of March next year. Temporary signs would be erected to tell drivers about the new road lay-outs.

Remembrance Sunday

A WEEKEND of remembrance is to be observed in Torpoint.

A two-minute silence will be held in the town centre tomorrow (Saturday) and the annual Remembrance Day parade and service involving up to 700 people will be held on Sunday.

The two-minute silence to remember those killed during armed conflicts will be officially observed at a ceremony in Sparrow Park in the town centre at 11o'clock on Armistice Day.

People will be gathering in the park at the northern end of Fore Street from around 10.50am.

Civic dignitaries and representatives from the town's Royal British Legion and the Army Cadet Force will be present. Sir Richard Carew-Pole from Antony House and descendants of the Sparrow family are also hoping to attend.

Royal Marine bugler Kevin Snoddy will play the Last Post and Reveille.

Following the Sparrow Park ceremony, certain members of the party will be taking part in an act of remembrance at the war graves at Horson Cemetery on the outskirts of the town.

On Sunday there will be a parade through the town and a service at Elliot Square.

"For the first time in 20 years, weather permitting, there will be an open air service," said parade organiser Mel Bray from the Royal British Legion, who is being assisted by Joe Plant.

Around 700 people are expected to take part in what will be the largest event of its kind in Torpoint in recent times.

In previous years, an act of remembrance and a two-minute silence have taken place in Elliot Square before a service in St James Church. However, because so many people now want to be present, the organisers have decided on holding the service outside. Clergy from different churches in the town are due to help lead the service.

A combined cadet force will carry more than 35 wreaths from Albion Road to Elliot Square at 10.15 on Sunday morning. The parade, with representatives from a wide range of organisations in the town, will follow a few minutes later and will be led by a combined silver band with musicians from Torpoint, Saltash and Liskeard.

Among the dignitaries at the act of remembrance will be the new commodore of HMS Raleigh, Commodore Laurie Brokenshire, and Royal New Zealand Navy commander, John Tucker.

Following the service, there will be a parade back to Albion Road and a reception at the Comrades Club.

Mayor's dinner dance

A HIGHLIGHT of the civic year in Torpoint, the Mayor's Charity Dinner and Dance, takes place later this month.

This year the event, which will be hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress, Stan and Christine Martin, will be held on Friday, November 24.

Tickets for the event are still available at £20 each and can be obtained from 47 York Road (tel. 01752 812476) or Torpoint Florist in Fore Street.

Money raised by the dinner and dance will go to the mayor's charity, the Friends of Derriford Hospital Kidney Unit.

Civic dignitaries from Plymouth and towns in South East Cornwall will be attending as will the new commodore of HMS Raleigh, Commodore Laurie Brokenshire, South East Cornwall MP Colin Breed and the president of the Torpoint & Rame Peninsula Lions Club, Jenny Gamm.

The dinner and dance is being staged at Torpoint School, starting at 7pm for 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, another fundraiser for the mayor's charity takes place in Torpoint tomorrow (Saturday, November 11). Town councillors have arranged a tabletop sale at the Council Chambers in York Road from 2pm to 4pm. Refreshments will be available including cream teas.

Marines concert

THE Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth, will be giving a concert in the Roebuck Theatre at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint on Wednesday, November 22.

Under the direction of Major Barrie Mills, the band will play popular modern pieces and some light classical music during the concert which starts at 7.30pm.

A special attraction for the evening will be the appearance of the Huw Williams Jazz Quartet.

Tickets, available from Rally Food & Wine (tel 01752 814560) in Trevithick Avenue, are priced at £5 each.