Flashing speed signs have been switched on in key locations around the parish of St Agnes following public calls to improve road safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Residents of the Goonbell area of St Agnes in particular have been vocal in lobbying the parish council to help reduce car speeds through the hamlet.
The parish council said that the main thoroughfare of Blackwater was "long known as a speeding hotspot," and was another key area to get vehicle activated signs.
The signs collect data on average speeds and have been proven to reduce them over time and improve road safety for all. Drivers can expect a flashing warning should they activate the signs by breaking the limit.
The parish council will monitor speeds and could introduce further measures for community safety if needed, though the speed limits themselves will not yet be changing as part of the signs initiative.
The project has been managed and funded by St Agnes Parish Council, with additional money coming in from St Agnes Local Improvement Committee, which has allowed an extra signs to be bought.
Cornwall Councillor Pete Mitchell with Blen Barrett, Cllr Martin Ripper and Cllr Bill Forbes of St Agnes Parish Council with one of the new signs
Cormac's highways department and local Cornwall Councillor Pete Mitchell have given support to help bring the project to reality.
Mr Mitchell said: “Blackwater has long been identified as a village plagued by speeding vehicles and now the Passmore Edwards Institute has reopened, villagers take their lives in their hands crossing the road.
"It has been my ambition since becoming Blackwater's Cornwall councillor in 2013 to try to get the council to implement traffic calming measures. Today that day has finally arrived with flashing “Slow Down 30 mph” signs being introduced.
"I was delighted to be there as they were turned on and to notice the dramatic effect they have on getting people to slow down.
"I would pay tribute to members and officers of our parish council, Cornwall Council's network manager and Cormac's highway's officer who worked so hard to provide and fit potentially lifesaving equipment.”
Parish Councillor Bill Forbes, who first raised the matter and has been driving the project forward, agreed: “I’m delighted not only for parishioners in Blackwater but those in other wards who have raised the issue of speeding traffic with us. Expect to see these elsewhere.
"They will not only hopefully slow traffic but give us data on actual traffic speeds which we can share with the police if necessary.”
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