THE Camelford Network Area will be among the first to participate in Cornwall Council’s 20’s Plenty pilot scheme.

Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for transport, Philip Desmonde, has made introducing more 20mph zones a priority since the Conservatives took control in May.

More than 125 requests to join the scheme were received from members, communities, parish and town councils all keen to be chosen.

Announcing the news at a meeting of the full council Cllr Desmonde said: “What I find remarkable is that the office has not asked areas to come forward — they just have.” He said it was estimated that around 700 roads in Cornwall currently have 20mph limits and that it was hoped the scheme could double that.

Camelford will be one of 21 projects being rolled out as part of the pilot scheme and Cllr Desmonde said that these would include extensions to existing 20mph areas, new variable speed limits and zoning.

He added: “Eventually we would like to reduce the limit to 20mph where it is currently 30mph so we have a default position for Cornwall for 20mph zones.”

The Camelford Network Panel put itself forward as a whole area and was delighted to be chosen for the pilot.

Cornwall Councillor for the Camelford and Boscastle Division, Barry Jordan, said: “I am delighted that the Camelford Community Network was chosen to pilot the 20mph scheme, all the parishes came together to support the project. We had different stories from the areas but most were concerned that drivers were using the roads as racetracks and this is very dangerous for other drivers and pedestrians.

“I have championed the Community Speedwatch in the area for the last four years and will continue to do so but enforcement is going to be paramount when this is rolled out next June, more police officers will be trained to work with communities on this problem and will be out with speedwatch groups and can issue fixed penalty notices on the spot.”

Cllr Jordan said the scheme does not seek to punish drivers, but to educate them. He added: “I don’t want to see people getting fines or losing their license, but I don’t want to see more people hurt or killed because of speeding motorists, education is going to be key and I hope that if this is successful it can be rolled out throughout the county.”

Within the network area, 20mph is already being designed for both St Teath and Delabole but the council is keen to build on this and will look at the remaining 30mph limits. 

Dominic Fairman, Cornwall Councillor for the St Teath and Tintagel Division, said: “This is fantastic news for the Camelford Network Area and will be very welcome in each of the villages I represent. I have been working for a number of years now to bring a 20mph zone to St Teath and now this scheme will also deliver in St Breward, Delabole and Tintagel.

“Speeding is one of the issues that I regularly get contact about and providing 20 zones across such a large part of North Cornwall will help to change behaviour of both locals and visitors. The fact that all new cars from 2022 will be fitted with speed limiters in line with local restrictions will also help.

“Evidence shows that the increase in safety for pedestrians between 30mph and 20mph is very significant and it will also reduce air pollution in our towns and villages.”

MP Scott Mann also welcomed the news, saying he was “pleased” the Camelford Network Area had been chosen. He said: “Many of my North Cornwall constituents have contacted me to let me know that they support the 20mph programme for speed limits in their parishes and towns.

“The transport portfolio holder on Cornwall Council has written to me to confirm Camelford Community Network Area has been selected for the scheme which I am very pleased about. With 20mph already being designed for both St Teath and Delabole the council were keen to build on this looking at the remaining 30mph limits.

“I am also pleased that the commission to review all 30mph limits within Camelford CNA will be sent out shortly and we will be working towards delivery by June 2022, allowing time for monitoring the impact. Where possible, they will be changing all 30mph limits to 20mph, with the caveat that there may be some areas that through an exceptions process remain as 30mph or a more focused 20mph section where the transition to a driver is clear. 

“The stakeholders have been in discussion with Devon and Cornwall Police on this aspect. A report of the outcomes is due to come back in October 2022, with a view that they recommend a countywide rollout.”

The first schemes are set to be introduced in May and June 2022 and the council will then monitor them in August before bringing a review back to the overview and scrutiny committee.

Reports will then be presented to cabinet by the end of 2022 to assess the impact of the first phase and look at delivering the rest of the proposed schemes.