Helston traffic meeting snub 'outrageous'

11:30am Monday 4th March 2013 in News

A perceived snub over their request for a public meeting has been described as “outrageous” and “utterly bonkers” by Helston Town Council.

It is after the council wrote to Peter Tatlow, network manager (west) at Cormac Solutions, which deals with traffic and transport on behalf of Cornwall Council, asking for a public meeting about concerns over Penhellaz Hill.

Residents believe the road is dangerous and overused by heavy goods vehicles, which they feel should be diverted through the town – or the hill be closed to traffic altogether.

The history of this debate can be found online at thepacket.co.uk In his reply to the council Mr Tatlow said that he had spoken to Rebecca Lyle, in the strategic transport section, who believed that as a public consultation was “imminent” as part of a wider “transport strategy” for the town an extra meeting was unnecessary.

Mr Tatlow added: “I have to say that I agree with that stance because I don’t believe that another meeting is going to tell us any more than we already know about the situation with rat-running traffic along Cross Street.”

Councillor Niall Devenish said he was “quite frankly amazed” at the response, saying it appeared Mr Tatlow was suggesting “because we are about to have a public consultation we don’t want to have a public meeting.”

He added: “This is probably one of the most ridiculous Cornwall Council letters that I have read in my life. It’s absolutely and utterly bonkers.”

Mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby said it was not about what Cornwall Council wanted but the residents, adding: “I just think this manner is absolutely outrageous.”

Councillor Sue Swift proposed that the council write re-iterating its request for a public meeting with the residents of Cross Street and wishing the unitary authority’s officers attend.

Mr Devenish added that the town should ask for the meeting to be included as part of the wider public consultation and asked that Helston’s Cornwall Councillors “put pressure” on officers to ensure the meeting went ahead at the earliest opportunity.

This was agreed unanimously by members.

Comments(17)

Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe says...
11:50am Mon 4 Mar 13

Another typical Helstonian storm in a teacup? Is it just me that finds the whole story bonkers in that its hard to make any sense of it?

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Red Eric says...
12:07pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Not bonkers at all, just Helston Councillors standing up for the people of Helston against this useless Cornwall Council. At least someone is fighting for Helston at last.

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Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe says...
12:26pm Mon 4 Mar 13

That may well be true Eric and good on them if it is; I was really referring to the way it's written, i.e. in gobbledegook that makes it a bit hard to understand for someone who knows nothing about the issue concerned and/or doesn't know those streets.

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ronedgcumbe says...
12:45pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe wrote:
Another typical Helstonian storm in a teacup? Is it just me that finds the whole story bonkers in that its hard to make any sense of it?
No there is at least two of us.

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Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe says...
12:55pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Good to know Ron; I was beginning to think it's me that's bonkers (I may well be but I mean for not being able to grasp the finer points of this 'story')

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
1:56pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe wrote:
Another typical Helstonian storm in a teacup? Is it just me that finds the whole story bonkers in that its hard to make any sense of it?
I don't think it makes sense in as much as if it is a representative ie network manager from Cormac Solutions that is refusing a meeting then why are Helston Town Council blaming Cornwall Council. Cormac may be working for Cornwall Council but by the wording of the article it sounds to me as if it is Cormac making the decisions.

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ronedgcumbe says...
5:20pm Mon 4 Mar 13

As closing penhallaz hill would have a knock on effect on other areas of the town I think cormacs response is correct. But why are cornwall council absolutely outrageous?
Why hgv lorries are using a route that is totaly unsuitable needs ansering quickly. Maybe the police could ask a few drivers why.

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
5:27pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Lorries could be using that route due to Sat Nav or it could be quicker if they come in from the Penzance direction and cut through Cross Street to work their way to the top of town to places like Water-Ma-Trout.

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ronedgcumbe says...
5:38pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Gillian Zella Martin 09 wrote:
Lorries could be using that route due to Sat Nav or it could be quicker if they come in from the Penzance direction and cut through Cross Street to work their way to the top of town to places like Water-Ma-Trout.
Thats an idea Gill. If it is the case this could be sorted with a few advice signs.

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
5:47pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I don't think they can really start closing roads because it just moves the traffic volume problem elsewhere, width restrictors would prevent the lorries. If more traffic is to be diverted up through Coinage Hall Street then then the unauthorised parking needs to be addressed to prevent congestion.

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
5:56pm Mon 4 Mar 13

They only need one width restrictor half way down Cross Street, minimal cost, sorted.

Emergency vehicles could still enter the road then from either direction.

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ronedgcumbe says...
6:15pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Gillian Zella Martin 09 wrote:
I don't think they can really start closing roads because it just moves the traffic volume problem elsewhere, width restrictors would prevent the lorries. If more traffic is to be diverted up through Coinage Hall Street then then the unauthorised parking needs to be addressed to prevent congestion.
Yes closing the road would be very unpopular it has always been a right of way i feel it will couse more problems than it solves. Your surgestion sound about right.
Still do not understand why certain councilors where so annoyed.

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
6:36pm Mon 4 Mar 13

This problem in Cross Street has been in existence for many years now, therefore I question when did the town council begin to try to remedy the problem?

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ronedgcumbe says...
12:51pm Tue 5 Mar 13

Why are they not so concerned about the traffic problems in other parts of town.

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
7:48am Wed 6 Mar 13

Possibly because no one else has complained about places other than Penhellaz Hill and Cross Street.

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southseabubble says...
1:11pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Cross st is a shocking place to live and breath often the traffic is heavy and bumps on and off the pavements to barge its way through.
Living here and seeing the structural damage to fine old houses in what is a residential area tells all.
Not to mention the hudreds of school children that walk the route and breath the filth from all the vans sneaking through to Water ma Trout and beyond.
Peter Tatlow knows he has no budget , Niall Devenish knows if he can tie it into some unaffordable greater scheme he can prevent it happening.
As for the blue light ambulance and its passenger trapped here in traffic this week , that tells all.
What the residents have asked for is quite reasonable and would help emergency vehicles get through , as for the rat runners , which is most of you , you can always use the A 394 , thats what its there for.

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Gillian Zella Martin 09 says...
2:37pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I am no rat runner, the only time I drove down Cross Street was when I used the solicitors there and when I was viewing properties in Cross Street.

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