20mph speed limits will be rolled out across Cornwall

CORNWALL Council has revealed which areas are next in line to get new 20mph speed limits introduced as part of a countywide initiative to drive down speeds in residential areas.

The council is set to reduce speed limits in most built-up areas in Cornwall from the standard 30mph to 20mph.

It follows a successful pilot scheme which has seen the changes already made in Falmouth, Penryn and Camelford and resulted in motorists’ speeds coming down. The changes are being made in a bid to make roads safer for all users.

The council is looking to spend around £4m on the scheme which will involve replacing speed limit signs in the affected areas to indicate that the limit has been lowered to 20mph. There are also plans for an extensive education and awareness campaign designed to let people know where the speed limit has been cut to 20mph and why.

Whilst Falmouth, Penryn and Camelford have seen the changes made in Phase 1, the schedule for the rollout across the rest of Cornwall is as follows:

Phase 2 (2023) – Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Illogan; West Penwith; Truro and The Roseland

Phase 3 (2024) – Hayle and St Ives; St Austell and Mevagissey; Newquay and St Columb; Cornwall Gateway (Saltash and Torpoint area); Liskeard and Looe; China Clay area

Phase 4 (2025) – Helston and South Kerrier; Bude; Launceston

Phase 5 (2026) – Wadebridge and Padstow; Bodmin; Caradon (Callington and Calstock area); St Blazey, Fowey and Lostwithiel; St Agnes and Perranporth

The latest report on the 20mph project is set to go to Cornwall Council’s Cabinet next Wednesday for councillors to approve the rollout. It states: “With a sign-only delivery approach – with associated Traffic Regulation Orders – we will be reliant on behaviour change to reduce vehicle speeds towards compliance. We acknowledge this will take time and we are addressing this through our communication and engagement strategy.”

It later adds: “Each new limit should be placed at a point that appears obvious to drivers as a transition into an urban area and be applied consistently. Roads too rural in nature do not encourage compliance and water down the impact of 20mph within the urbanised areas.”

Officers also highlight that while enforcement would be a “last resort” all the 20mph limits would be legally enforceable.