THE community is bracing itself for traffic chaos in Newquay following plans to close a main road for four months.

A road closure will be put in place on the A392 between Treloggan and Trevemper roundabouts on October 1 until the end of January 2025 as part of works to improve the route ahead of the Treveth developments at Trevithick Manor Farm.

The works include creating a new signalised junction with pedestrian crossing points off the A392, between the Trevemper and Treloggan roundabouts.

The existing carriageway will be realigned, new drainage and utilities installed and connected, kerbing constructed, traffic signals and street lighting installed, then final resurfacing and road markings.

It is the second time the major road has been closed. The route was closed in December 2022 for two weeks in preparation for the widening of the highway, new drainage being installed together with a new footway and kerbing.

Resident Daz Smith said: “It’s going to be chaos ..everything will go through Treloggan and during school hours outside of The Bishops' C of E Learning Academy will be an absolute nightmare.

“With parents parking up the hill towards the school and the lollipop man stopping traffic to let children cross it’ll be carnage.”

Christian Ford added: “Surely closing a road for four months is not only unnecessary, but also completely outrageous. What a stupid idea. Utter madness.

“People having to move their business, their jobs and their children’s schools. It’s complete madness. It’s something that cleanly hasn’t been thought through properly.”

Businesses are concerned about the impact the road closure will have on trade and one company is even relocating.

Stephanie Ann Clark, who owns Cornish Lunchbox, is relocating from Prow Park to the town centre due to the disruption the road closure will cause.

She said: “We've been trading at Prow Park for almost five years.

“The road closures are one of the main reasons we looked to find an alternative location as last winter the lack of trade almost killed our business.

“It's been an incredibly hard year as it is in the hospitality industry, and everyone is financially affected by the cost of everything and already spending less on luxuries but when people cannot get to you due to traffic lights it deters people even further.

“Then, for three months between January and March 2024 last winter, we had the roadworks on Trevemper, three-way traffic lights in Treloggan near the school, and also had three-way traffic at the entrance to Treloggan Industrial Estate.

“We knew that we had to sadly move our business if we wanted to survive this winter.

“Not all businesses are affected by it but as we are daytime trading only. It really has an affect on us as people just avoided the area unless absolutely necessary, and I don't blame them.”

Alexandra Robert from Log ‘n’ Coal at Trevithick Manor Farm added: “This will be the third year they have closed off the road.

“South West Water closed it and did not give us any compensation and Cornwall Council is not interested about how this will affect us.

“Seventy five per cent of our business is passing trade so the road closure will have a major impact.

“We’ve had to turn the phone off because people have heard the road will be closed and they are worried about how they can get to us. Customers will be able to access the road to visit us but many will just turn around when they see the signs saying the road is closed. They will avoid us completely.”

Lindsay Opie from Cormac, in a letter to residents and business owners, said: “People may already be aware that Treveth have been granted planning permission for development at Trevithick Manor Farm Newquay.

“Cormac has been appointed to carry out the associated Section 278 works, and started on January, 2 2024. It is anticipated that the project will complete at the end of January 2025, though keep in mind that adverse weather conditions often experienced during the winter months, can sometimes cause delays.

“After a period of being off the road to allow for summer traffic, Cormac will soon recommence works on the road. From October 1 2024, the A392 will be closed between Trevemper and Treloggan roundabouts. Access will be maintained for residents, businesses and the emergency services, but there will be no route through the works. A signed diversion route will be in place.

“It is possible that people may experience some associated noise or disruption, but please be assured that every effort will be made to keep disturbance to an absolute minimum. We use equipment to monitor and reduce noise levels and do our utmost to limit disturbance and maintain traffic flow for all those close by.

“We would like to thank people in advance for your patience and cooperation, we are very grateful.”