Yahoo News Bridge connecting Truro declared 'key priority' that 'should take precedence'
Truro City Council has called for a project connecting two sides of the river in Truro with a new bridge to be treated as a “key priority” and prioritised in the event of any "changing financial circumstances".
Creating a bridge linking Lighterage Quay with Boscawen Park is one of several projects being overseen by the Truro Town Deal Board.
At last week’s meeting of the city council, members voted in favour of a motion by councillor Loic Rich to back the bridge project which, he said, was strongly supported by the local community.
Explaining that the proposal for a bridge between Lighterage Quay and Boscawen Park had been under discussion for a number of years, Cllr Rich said that it would encourage residents and families to walk and cycle more, and connect businesses in Newham with leisure opportunities in Boscawen Park.
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Members were told that the project was being funded through the Truro Town Deal programme, with support from Cornwall Council, and would be operated by the Harbour Authority. The city council would not be directly involved in the project and, therefore, would have no responsibility for constructing, operating or maintaining the bridge.
The motion from Cllr Rich read: “Truro City Council recognises that the community of Truro is, according to recent consultation, strongly supportive of the proposal to provide a bridge Lighterage Quay and Boscawen Park.
“With benefits to both the future viability of Newham Business Park and to the residential communities of Highertown (including Malabar), this is a project which, when completed, will provide long lasting economic, health and amenity benefits to the whole town.
The proposed bridge between Lighterage Quay and Boscawen Park (Image: PBWC Architects)
“For these reasons the council wishes to inform the Town Deal Board and Cornwall Council, both the project lead and the accountable body, that the Lighterage Bridge should be regarded as a key priority project which, if necessary, should take precedence in the event that reductions to the programme have to be made due to changing financial circumstances.”
Following a short discussion, councillors voted in favour of the motion and for the wording to be sent to the Town Deal Board.
