AN ambitious plan to build a lifting bridge linking two parts of Truro may have to undergo “operational and design changes” due to rising construction costs.

The bridge for pedestrians and cyclists between Lighterage Quay in Newham and Boscawen Park is part of the £23.6 million Truro Town Deal project aimed at revitalising the city.

The Town Deal board has said it is continuing to “explore all options available to us”. The proposal, which has received objections from the city council, Natural England and local traders, is expected to go before Cornwall Council planners next month.

Alan Stanhope, chair of Truro Town Deal board, said: “Costs continue to rise across the construction sector and wider economy and board members are kept informed of projected costs for the bridge. While the planning process continues, we continue to explore all options available to us. This includes potential operational and design changes.”

The bridge was supposed to be completed within the next 12 months or risk the return of funds to central government. However, the board has recently received assurance from Cornwall Council that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will, subject to conditions, allow project delivery to continue beyond March 2026.

Truro City Council recommend refusal of the proposal until satisfactory plans are made available detailing the safe access for cyclists and pedestrians. Truro City Council’s planning committee asked the town clerk to write to Cornwall Council last year expressing “grave concerns” about the access and safety of the area serving the lifting bridge.

Natural England has also objected to the project as it considers the bridge will “damage or destroy” features of the Malpas Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Mr Stanhope added: “Work started in 2022 to deliver this priority which was first agreed in the Truro Town Investment Plan. Our vision was to create a ‘Connected River City’, with better access to open space and connected green transport. It has been, and continues to be, a complex project reflecting the sensitivities of the immediate location and environment.

“With strong public support, colleagues have worked extensively to address and mitigate the concerns raised by Natural England.”

The planning application has received over 130 comments from members of the public with the vast majority in favour of the scheme, with many saying it will be a boon for Truro and a vital element of the Truro Loops green project to link parts of the city.

Mr Stanhope responded to rumours that the contract to build the bridge has already been awarded to Cornwall Council’s arm’s length company Cormac apparently without any competitive tendering exercise. He said: “Cormac has provided a quotation for the works in order for us to progress this project, but this has not been accepted.”

Last week traders in Newham aired their safety concerns about a proposed cycle and pedestrian crossing which will lead to the bridge if approved. Cornwall Council wants to put a diagonal 12-metre crossing across Newham Road on Newham Industrial Estate in Truro to access the bridge

Businesses in Newham, which is home to 180 companies employing around 1,200 people, fear the crossing could bring pedestrians and cyclists into conflict with lorries using the estate.

Devon & Cornwall Police have also raised concerns about the proposal. The police’s architectural liaison officer Martin Mumford has written to Cornwall Council stating: “The main issue for me is how safe people will be and feel when eventually using this route especially when dark. This area is obviously primarily an industrial/commercial area so pedestrian/cycle movements should not conflict with these existing uses.”

Concerns were raised last year that the bridge could be dropped from the Town Deal plans due to the impact of inflation, meaning the true value of the £23.6 million award has reduced by a third. However, a second bridge at Town Quay in the city was removed from the plans instead.