The MP for North Cornwall has called on the newly appointed secretary of state for Transport to provide urgent and overdue clarity on the future of plans for the A39 Camelford bypass.

Ben Maguire MP has demanded clarity after repeated letters to the Department for Transport yielded only vague responses at a time where he said his constituents needed clarity.

The need for a bypass for the A39 to avoid the narrow, congested road through Camelford was brought to the fore earlier this year after a collapsing building led to it being closed for several weeks.

Progress on the Camelford bypass has hit an impasse after the Labour government launched a funding review of infrastructure projects.

In the letter sent to the Secretary of State, Ben Maguire MP voiced the frustration of Camelford residents who have waited years for progress on the proposed infrastructure project, and simply want to know if the plans will go ahead or not. The project has been repeatedly shelved and the uncertainty has stalled investment in the town.

Having already submitted several written questions to the Department for Transport, Maguire outlined the lack of concrete answers from the Department, and that no meaningful updates have been provided to residents or local businesses.

In the letter to Heidi Alexander MP, the secretary of state for transport, Mr Maguire wrote: “I am writing to raise significant concerns about the lack of clarity and insufficient responses I have received from your Department regarding the proposed A39 Camelford Bypass. The people of Camelford have waited for many years for progress on this critical infrastructure project, and they deserve clear and detailed answers about its future.

“My Conservative predecessor in North Cornwall stated in February 2024 that the previous Government was "closer than ever before to having this scheme realised." However, despite my repeated attempts to seek clarity, my constituents and I remain in the dark about the project’s status and timetable.

“The responses I received to these questions have been vague and unhelpful, offering no substantive information or reassurance to the residents of Camelford and its surrounding areas. This lack of transparency is deeply disappointing and does little to instil confidence in the government’s commitment to this infrastructure project.

“The people of Camelford deserve to know what will happen to the bypass project. When will your Department provide a definitive update on its status, planned timetable, and future? I am sure you will appreciate this creates a great deal of uncertainty regarding future town planning.

“I look forward to receiving your response, which I hope will address these concerns in detail and offer much-needed clarity to my constituents.”

Ben Maguire MP commented: "The people of Camelford deserve answers, not more prevarication and delay. This project is critical to the future of the town, not only for easing congestion and improving pollution, but for the economic and environmental benefits it would bring.

“The government should finally provide the transparency and accountability that Camelford has been demanding for years now. My constituents need a yes or no answer – no more excuses.”