The new A390 Tresillian cycle route to Truro, celebrated its opening this week with the two local Cornwall councillors taking to a tandem.

Cllr Mike Eathorn-Gibbons, for Ladock, St Clement and St Erme; and Cllr Bob Egerton, for Probus, Tregony and Grampound, were joined by a group of students from Penair School. The students then cycled along the new 1.5km cycleway to Tresillian with an officer from Sustrans; the charity which helps people to travel more journeys by foot, bike or public transport.

The new route runs from Tresillian village to the new Tregurra park and ride site on the east of Truro. It runs through the park and ride, on a designated path for cyclists and pedestrians, to the Newquay Road junction; linking cyclists to the existing cycle network. Cyclists continuing their journeys to Truro can cross the A39 Newquay Road and continue along Tregurra Lane to the city centre. For onward journeys towards the colleges, schools, hospital and Threemilestone, cyclists can follow signs for the Coosebean Cycle path.

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Bert Biscoe, said: “Slowly but surely this comprehensive and major scheme, which include Langarth Park and Ride, the Falmouth–Truro Branch Ride and the Eastern Park and Ride is coming together to manage transport into and out of Truro.”

Mr Eathorn-Gibbons added: “This is a start for improved cycleways. I shall now be pressing for a cycle route from Trispen to Truro.”

Mr Egerton said: “I’m really pleased that this has been implemented as part of the park and ride project. This is the sort of thing we need to do to encourage people to consider alternative means of transport.”

The new cycle route was part of the planning condition on the Tregurra Park and Ride site. Additional significant Government funding to promote walking and cycling along the A390 Highertown corridor is being provided by the Local Enterprise Partnership starting in September. Along with critical improvements to road junctions, these improvements for cyclists form part of the Truro Transport Strategy. This strategy focuses on providing better opportunities to make some journeys by bus, cycle or on foot; to help meet the growing numbers of people travelling into and within Truro in the future.

The cycle route, which delivers the cycle and pedestrian strategy for this part of the highway network, is costing about £700,000, and has been funded through Local Transport Plan funding. This is funding allocated from central Government to deliver new local transport infrastructure that cannot be used for any other type of works.