Truro City Council has “grave concerns” about the safety of walkers and cyclists using a much-heralded new bridge which has been promised for the city as part of the £23.6 million Town Deal project to revitalise Truro.

A planning application has been submitted to Cornwall Council for the construction of a lifting bridge for cycle and pedestrian access from Lighterage Quay in Newham to Boscawen Park at Malpas along with public realm works including demolition of an existing harbours shed and parking for up to 15 cars.

However, the city council’s planning committee has recommended refusal of the proposal until satisfactory plans are made detailing safe access for users of the bridge, which would link Newham and Malpas as part of the Truro Loops scheme to provide green transport links throughout the city.

An agent for the bridge plan spoke in favour of the scheme, assuring members that it had been designed to current standards of legislation regarding biodiversity, safety and travel routes.

Other bodies have also queried the proposals. The managing director of a nearby company raised concerns about safety on a road which is frequently used by heavy goods vehicles visiting industrial businesses in Newham.

And Martin Mumford, architectural liaison officer for Devon & Cornwall Police, 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.

“The routes back towards Truro either along the road itself or the Higher Newham trail are certainly not the best in terms of passive surveillance and lighting. On the Boscawen Park side, again I do not believe there is really any existing lighting until you get to the Malpas Road. Is this likely to be improved?”

The Port of Truro User Group has questioned the lack of pontoons to accommodate craft waiting for the bridge to be operated, “especially at periods of spring high tide when flow through the narrow channel is very strong and holding a waiting position is difficult”; and the lack of a direct communication link between the bridge zone and the remote operator.

In contrast, Cllr Loic Rich is heavily in favour of the bridge, as city councillor for Tregolls ward - which would share the bridge with Redannick ward - and chair of Cornwall Council Harbours Board. He urged everyone to comment online via Cornwall Council’s planning portal. “It really makes a difference,” he said.

“You can support or object in this way, but as far as I’m concerned I am supporting this, as are most people in Truro. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something really good for the area. It’s a no-brainer.”

The plans can be found and comments made at https://tinyurl.com/3pfpz94v