Traffic chaos is forecast for Liskeard

Dead slow and stop have been the two speeds experienced by traffic travelling through Liskeard's Parade this week as the extensive road works connected with the town centre regeneration scheme have severely affected motorists, and traders alike causing chaos, and at times total gridlock.

But although most people are prepared to put up with the inconvenience until the works are completed, there were expressions of alarm this week when it was realised that the road leading out of West Street onto the main Parade, has been reduced to two lanes.

This is completely against the advice of the commissioned W S Atkins Town Study report published a few years ago which said three lanes should be kept to maintain traffic flow, and has led to accusations that consultations with Cornwall Council are a waste of time and money.

And residents are forecasting permanent chaos in the town centre long after the scheme has been completed.

West Street is the main service road for Westbourne Car Park, the Infant and Junior Schools, a bus park at the former Jet Garage, two haulage businesses (Allen and Lock and Mitchell Potato Merchants), and a large residential area with more houses being built.

For years when there were only two lanes, traffic trying to turn right down The Parade or left on to the Plymouth road, experienced tailbacks up West Street.

This was greatly alleviated when the third lane was introduced, but queues are still experienced at peak times, especially at the beginning and end of the school day.

When the Cornish Times contacted County High-ways, Mr Neil Homerston confirmed the road had been narrowed and said it was part of the overall policy of traffic calming. However, it is understood that both the Town Forum and the Chamber of Commerce had asked that three lanes be maintained.

Forum chairman Mr Bernard Wooster, who stressed that along with Caradon and the Town Council, the organisation could only advise in a consultative capacity, said the Forum had indeed raised a query about West Street. But he said the Forum had finally approved the Parade plan in December on the layout and appearance, and the implications of that, appertaining to traffic, was left to the relevant engineers at County Highways. 'I hope they have got it right and the plan will be successful' he said.

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Roger Terry, was however more critical. He said the Chamberwere particularly concerned about lorries which need access.

'As usual Cornwall Council has sold this town down the line, it is a shambles' he said.

'We ask for one thing, they do another. Together with the Forum we also asked that at least six parking spaces be left on The Parade for access to shops, but they have got rid of them all. They want the traffic out of town, but with no traffic there are no customers, no shops, and no Liskeard'.