THE green light has been signalled to consult residents on plans to implement a 20mph speed limit on most residential roads in Newquay and St Columb Major.

The community is being asked to give its views on Cornwall Council’s proposal to help improve road safety as well as encourage more people to walk and cycle.

The council believes a 20mph speed limit will also reduce noise, and by lowering emissions and tackling congestion, will support its climate change declaration as well as an ambition for the county to be carbon neutral by 2030.

A countywide roll out programme has been approved after a successful phase one pilot in Camelford, Falmouth and Penryn during 2022,

Cornwall Council believes a 20mph speed limit will help its aim to reduce both death and serious injury by 50 per cent on the county’s roads by 2030.

Annan Birkett, a project manager at Cormac, said: “Cornwall Council intends to implement a 20mph speed limit on most residential streets in the settlements within the Newquay and St Columb Community Network Area.

“These settlements have previously expressed strong local support for this. Buffer zones will also be implemented leading up to these, where deemed necessary.

“It is considered that implementing a reduced speed limit of 20mph on roads within these areas will make a major contribution towards improving road safety, especially for vulnerable road users, and traffic using these roads.

“This, in turn, will aid in the achievement of the council’s ‘Vision Zero’ goal – working towards the prevention of all fatal and serious injuries on the county road network.

“The imposition of 20mph speed limits in these locations, should also improve the amenity of these areas and assist in encouraging a transition towards individuals using active travel, particularly for local journeys, resulting in increased journey time reliability and healthier communities.

“Severance by traffic will also be reduced, facilitating a greater use of local community facilities and enabling more liveable streets. As well as encouraging more social interaction, this may also be beneficial to the local economy.

“The wider roll-out of 20mph speed limits is also likely to reduce noise and air pollution, via the reduced need for motor vehicles to use harsh breaking and/or acceleration, providing additional positive health benefits for both visitors and residents alike.”

Pentire ward councillor Joanna Kenny said: “The whole of Pentire from the bottom of Pentire Road is included in the 20mph speed limit proposal, though I would have thought the parking bays on Pentire’s main thoroughfares enforce low speeds anyway.

“On an early consultation with councillors of which it seems little notice was taken.

“I have already raised a concern that the ring road down from the Mount Wise roundabout running around by Sainsburys is included. That’s not going to discourage the traffic going down Crantock Street.

“And I did suggest a bit of future planning, taking into account the finally arriving Newquay Strategic Route why not implement 20mph through Trencreek and the rerouting of main road at Trevemper.

“I understand emergency vehicles including ambulances and fire engines can only travel at 50 percent higher than the existing speed limit. So if a 20mph speed limit is introduced the fastest they will be able to travel would be 30mph along these residential roads. Do we want emergency vehicles travelling at that speed to get to an emergency? I will be feeding that into the consultation.”

St Columb Major mayor Paul Wills added: “The 20 is Plenty speed reduction scheme, already in some areas of Cornwall, is due to be rolled out in St Columb Major early next year.

“Recently, I spent several hours with senior Highways Officers to finalise the plans for this major change to our speed limits.

“20mph will affect the whole town. It will encompass everywhere in the centre of town starting from Philiphaugh, bottom of Newquay Road, top of Trekenning Road and Bridge.

“New signage will be installed making it very clear where the new 20mph will apply. This will help reduce speed an make it safer for everyone.

“The public consultation is now open and I urge you to have your say.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “Cornwall is one of the first rural areas to reduce speed limits from 30mph to 20mph on residential roads and in built-up areas. It will make roads, safer, healthier and greener for everyone.”

The 20mph speed limit consultation ends on Friday, November 1. To take part visit here.