A proposal by Cornwall Council to increase the speed limit from 30mph to 60mph on a country road near Helston has been slammed as “deeply concerning”, “underhanded” and dangerous. The council has stated that the increase to the national speed limit is appropriate for the road.

The bid to increase the speed limit is among a number of changes as part of a public consultation by the council to roll out 20mph speed limits on most residential streets in Helston and the surrounding South Kerrier area. The speed limit on the stretch of narrow road between Porkellis and Halwin was reduced to 30mph a number of years ago due to safety concerns locally.

Harry Deacon, who lives in the area, contacted us highlighting residents’ concerns about the bid to increase the limit to 60mph. He described it as “a deeply concerning and underhanded move by Cornwall Council that is putting rural communities at risk. While much attention has been given to the council’s rollout of new 20mph speed limits in built-up areas, it is quietly using the same process to increase speed limits elsewhere – without properly informing affected residents”.

He said the proposed Porkellis to Halwin changes “are being hidden within the 20mph reduction promotions, misleading the public. Increasing the speed limit from 30mph to 60mph poses an unnecessary risk to residents, particularly children who walk and cycle this key route to and from the local primary school among the many other pedestrians, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders and vulnerable road users. This particular road has no lighting or pavement, it is windy and narrow, and has regular surface water and flooding results unpredictable vehicle movements even at current speeds”.

Mr Deacon added: “Many residents were completely unaware that speed limit increases were even on the table, and it is unclear how many other areas might be affected. The council’s failure to properly publicise these proposals means many communities could be sleepwalking into similar changes without realising until it is too late.”

Loveday Jenkin, a councillor who sits on both Wendron Parish Council – which covers the area in question – and Cornwall Council, told us she agrees with the residents’ concerns.

Posters have gone up in the area outlining the proposed speed changes and there has been an online public consultation, which ran from February 11 and ends this Friday (March 7). “Many affected residents are only just learning about these proposals and are being given little time to challenge them,” said Mr Deacon.

A senior council officer responded to locals’ concerns. Replying to correspondence from Mr Deacon, he said: “The proposed speed limit change between Porkellis and Halwin is not intended to increase vehicles speeds, due to the naturally constrained road layout. To hopefully provide some reassurance, should this proposal be implemented, it would also be monitored for four years following implementation, as committed to at cabinet for the Cornwall-wide 20mph rollout.

“A national speed limit for the road aligns with the national criteria for rural roads. Speed limits must also be appropriate as this encourages compliance. The proposed limit would provide consistency by aligning with the existing national speed limits between Halwin and Carnkie and also Carnkie to Rame Cross. Furthermore, a national speed limit removes the requirement for regular repeater signage, which in rural environments, can create a target speed.”

The officer added: “The vast majority of the public consultation is related to 20mph, for the Helston and South Kerrier area. That is evident by the extensive 20mphs we are proposing. Whilst within the area, we’re also able to correct any inappropriate limits, which helps to encourage compliance. Speed limits must be appropriate to the road.”

Mr Deacon responded in turn: “The council’s justification? That drivers already exceed 30mph, so rather than enforce the existing limit, they are raising it to match speeding behaviour. This reckless logic prioritises convenience for speeding motorists over the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and children walking to school.”

The list of speed limit and other highway consultations at various locations in Cornwall can be found on the council website here.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “It is important to note that these proposals are currently out to public consultation which runs until this Friday (7 March) and we will make a decision once we have considered all the feedback. While the focus of the consultation is on reducing speed limits to 20mph on many roads across Helston and South Kerrier, it also includes minor amendments to align speed limits with national criteria. These amendments are marked on the maps provided with the consultation.

“The 400m section between Porkellis and Halwin which we are proposing to increase to 60mph is currently 30mph. It is a rural road and, in line with national criteria, should be at the national speed limit. Our speed surveys and data show that while the 30mph limit on this stretch is being exceeded, the road layout means drivers are driving to the nature of the road. Our concern is that the current speed limit provides a false sense of security for pedestrians.

“Should these proposals go ahead, pedestrian warning signs will also be installed, and we will monitor the road for four years, making further amendments where needed.”