Work began last week on the westbound carriageway of Morlaix Avenue, in what is expected to be a year-long disruption causing much consternation among city residents, councillors and business owners.

Cormac has commenced work including clearance of trees and vegetation to enable the installation of a signalised junction as the entrance to The Gwel, a 242-home development at Higher Newham Farm.

A 30mph speed limit is currently in place on what is normally a 70mph stretch of dual carriageway. Work on both carriageways will be spread out over five phases, scheduled for completion in February 2026.

Entrance to Morlaix Avenue from Tesco roundabout, Truro
Entrance to Morlaix Avenue from Tesco roundabout, Truro (Tindle)

Cllr Rob Nolan (LibDem, Boscawen and Redannick) said alternative access options had been considered and ruled out. “It has come from Cornwall Highways to put signals there,” he said.

“I opposed the bus gate in the city centre and the signals at Copperfields on the grounds we would have big delays, and I was wrong. So once we’ve got past the construction period, it should be OK.

“It’s not great, but it’s happening. And if the government expects us to build 1,500 additional houses a year, it’s the shape of things to come - get used to it.”

The slip road allowing heavy goods traffic from Newham Industrial Estate to merge onto Morlaix Avenue is currently closed intermittently, with extended temporary closure anticipated.

Cameron MacQuarrie, managing director of Macsalvors Crane Hire and a committee member of Newham Business Improvement District (BID), estimated that several hundred industrial vehicles – including those owned by Biffa, South West Water and First Bus - would be forced to leave the estate via the roundabout that serves Tesco and Aldi supermarkets and the A39 bypass.

“It will mean increased journey time, idling and fuel consumption,” said Mr MacQuarrie. “We will leave earlier in the morning to avoid peak times, but coming back, we’re likely to spend more and more time sitting in traffic jams – and time is money.”

Communication from Cormac states: “Please be assured that every effort will be made to keep disturbance to an absolute minimum ... We will do our utmost to limit disruption and to maintain traffic flow.”