A whole raft of new 20mph zones are being planned in villages and hamlets near St Austell.

Cornwall Council wants to roll out its 20mph scheme to numerous settlements in the China Clay Community Network Area.

The council says the new speed limit would have a big impact on making roads safer.

The imposition of such speed limits in other parts of the country has met with opposition from some delivery firms and tradespeople who say the 20mph zones add time to their journeys, hitting their businesses.

The council intends to implement a 20mph limit on most residential streets within Bowling Green, Bugle, Carpalla, Coombe, Foxhole, Fraddon, High Street, Hillhead, Indian Queens, Lanjeth, Little Treviscoe, Nanpean, Penhale, Penwithick, Rescorla, Roche, Ruddlemoor, Scredda, St Columb Road, St Dennis, St Stephen, Stenalees, Stepaside, Summercourt, Trerice Terrace, Trethurgy, Trevarren, Treviscoe, Trezaise and Whitemoor.

In most locations the existing speed limit is currently 30mph.

The council says that people in these settlements have previously expressed strong support for the idea.

Buffer zones would be put in around the 20mph zones, where necessary.

A public consultation on the proposal is running until May 10. Plans showing the proposals can be viewed online at www.cornwall.gov.uk/TrafficConsult or in person at New County Hall in Truro.

A spokesperson said: “It is considered that implementing a reduced speed limit (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.

“The wider roll-out of 20mph speed limits is also likely to reduce noise and air pollution.”