Helston Town Council, decision on proposed toucan crossing

On Tuesday (February 13) the Packet reported that members of the public are now eligible to have their say regarding Cormac Solutions' proposal, on behalf of Cornwall Council to establish a toucan crossing on Clodgey Lane, following funding contributions obtained from the developers of the adjacent housing development on Clodgey Lane and Gay’s Hill near Flambards Theme Park.

According to the proposal, the proposed crossing will be approximately 47m southeast of the junction between Clodgey Lane and Clodgey Way, to link a new path from the housing development to provide a safe crossing route between this and the town centre.

However, at Helston Town Council’s full meeting on Thursday (February 15), councillors had an in-depth conversation about the proposal and a decision was made on how they would support it going forward.

Councillor John Boase suggested that the crossing be placed nearer to the entrance of the Navy estate to allow more safety for younger people living in that area.

Plans showing the proposed location of the Toucan Crossing on Clodgey Lane in Helston (Image: Cornwall Council)

Councillor Damien Willey agreed with Cllr Boase but questioned the current speed limit on that road. He said: “That stretch of road; while I completely agree with Councillor Boase that the crossing is needed for the new estate that’s a 40mph road, that surely needs addressing."

While councillor Ronnie Williams mentioned that the proposal had been ‘put off’ as there was ‘no real answer to it.’

Following the in-depth discussion, councillors decided to support the toucan crossing, but with a request to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph – however, this is not a given.

Helston mayor, councillor Miles Kenchington told the Packet: “The reason for the request to reduce the speed to 30mph is that is it the main crossing from the estate, made up of mainly family homes to St Michael’s Primary School.”

In December 2023, the developers of the new estate on Clodgey Lane, Persimmon Homes Cornwall and West Devon revealed that an application for a new pedestrian and cycle link on the site was approved by Cornwall Council.

The new route will connect the development with existing infrastructure, attaching to a public right of way, adjacent to the roundabout next to Premier Inn and the Maytree restaurant. The application was also supported by Helston Town Council.