RESIDENTS are being invited to have their say on plans to make the entrance to Pentire safer.
Cornwall Council has launched a public consultation on its plans to install a new pedestrian crossing where Pentire Avenue, Pentire Crescent, Pentire Road and Pentire Avenue, Esplanade Road converge.
Residents as well as the Pentire Residents’ Association have called for improvements to be made to the busy junction following concerns the current layout is dangerous for pedestrians to cross and for motorists uncertain who has the right of way.
A spokesperson said: “Cormac Solutions Ltd, on behalf of Cornwall Council, is inviting comments on a proposal to introduce changes to the carriageway and footway around the junction of Esplanade Road and Pentire Road.
“The details of this proposal include the installation of a pedestrian refuge island and associated widening of the carriageway, construction of an official footway on the desire path associated with this crossing point and the installation of a new bus shelter.
“Also further, changes to the footways at bus stops on Pentire Road and Esplanade Road to improve pedestrian access and safety.”
Councillor Louis Gardner added: “A new pedestrian traffic island is being built in Pentire to improve safety and accessibility for both residents and visitors after direct requests from local residents.
“The area experiences high foot traffic, particularly from those accessing local amenities, Fistral beach, and scenic walking routes.
“The new island will provide a safer crossing point on busy roads, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing pedestrian confidence.
“Additionally, it will help calm traffic flow and support the local community’s commitment to sustainable travel.
“This improvement aligns with broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and ensure safer, more pedestrian-friendly streets in Newquay.”
Cllr Joanna Kenny said: “I think most of the plans is a great improvement.
“Looking at it from the perspective of that nasty and very busy right hand turn out of Pentire Crescent, the space taken up by the new traffic islands should be compensated by the widening of the road.
“The islands should not only make it safer for the pedestrians who regularly cross at that point to get to the pavement but will help a slowdown into the new 20mph limits that start at the junction.
“And hopefully they will repaint and the lines/arrows and do a bit of road surfacing at the same time.
“I welcome the build outs at the existing bus stops, the one at the Green in particular will also improve the vista coming down the road.
“We are losing at least one parking place but there’s never enough parking and that’s compensated by the extra spaces we’ve put in over the years.
“The one bit where I’d like some reassurance is exactly where is the new bus stop going served by the new bus shelter. On the junction?
“It will need careful placing if it’s not going to cause problems for the cars turning right out of Pentire Crescent or left out of Esplanade Road.”