THE government has announced more than £500,000 of seed funding for the proposed Camelford bypass scheme.

In its budget announcements last week, the government has pledged over £500,000 of seed funding to the Camelford bypass business case, allowing the highly-anticipated scheme to progress forward.

Cornwall Council has welcomed the budget announcement of funding improvements for the project, which will tackle congestion, improve air quality and revitalise Camelford town centre and the wider local economy.

In his budget statement on March 11, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP, confirmed that the government would back the council’s bid for £540,000 towards developing the case for the scheme which will help ‘unblock’ the A39 as the main route from North Cornwall to North Devon.

Cllr Geoff Brown said the announcement marked a major step forward for the project, which has been developed with the local community over many years.

He said: “This announcement means this is a scheme the government considers a priority for the South West region and one that is expected to become a reality within the next five years. It recognises the wishes of local residents and businesses who have been working with us to produce a scheme that works for the local community and will benefit the whole of North Cornwall.

“We are now considering feedback from the recent consultation events and will incorporate these into the design where possible.”

Camelford was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2017 due to the poor air quality readings along the A39 and this scheme will tackle that issue as well as improve Camelford town centre and the local economy.

North Cornwall MP Scott Mann (Conservative) welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement, and said: “The seed funding is a clear commitment of intent by the Chancellor to upgrade and revolutionise North Cornwall’s road infrastructure. A new road bypassing the town of Camelford has been talked about for almost a century, but this government will deliver. Since my election in 2015, a Camelford bypass has been a key priority for me and I have taken the case from my initial petition to the highest levels of Westminster.

“The local council and the head of transport, Nigel Blackler, have been instrumental in supporting the bypass project and I would like to thank them. However, it is the people of Camelford and the surrounding area and their vocal support for this scheme which has made the real difference. Their backing has given me real strength when taking the case for this new road to the highest levels of government.”

Rob Rotchell, Cornwall Councillor for Camelford, said: “This is more than building a new road. Re-routing the A39 will bring many benefits to Camelford and give us as a town the opportunity to revitalise the local area.”

Mayor of Camelford, Claire Hewlett, was delighted with the announcement and wanted to express her appreciation to all those who have made the bypass scheme possible.

She told the Post: “It was great news to find out that we’d progressed to the next stage — this is a vote of confidence from central government in the scheme. We’re not home and dry yet, but it is a huge step forward. The money will allow Cornwall Council to build up the business case which then has to be submitted to the Department of Transport towards the end of this year.

“No single person has achieved this on their own. This has been a team effort across all levels of government, from the town council, through Cornwall Council, up to Westminster and our MP. Not forgetting vital input from the general public — at every consultation the bypass came out as the number one priority for the people of Camelford. Thank you to everyone for their perseverance and belief in Camelford — long may it continue.”

It is anticipated that work will begin on the scheme in late 2021 and be completed by late 2023, subject to funding and planning consents. Cornwall Council has committed £6.5-million towards the £42.5-million project.