04.01.06
Partnership award for A30 Bodmin to Indian Queens road scheme
A pioneering Highways Agency partnership has won a quality
of life award for working with the local community of Goss
Moor in Cornwall.
Harnessing the opportunities created by the new A30 Bodmin
to Indian Queens road, the project has won the Cornwall Strategic
Partnership's Quality Living Award.
Since 2001, the Rural Issues and Opportunities (RIO) project
has consulted closely with the community to produce an action
plan for the area and raised local appreciation of the historical
and environmental significance of Goss Moor and its surroundings.
It has also helped secure £1.2 million of EU investment
for a habitat restoration project for the area.
Highways Agency project leader for the A30 Bodmin to Indian
Queens road scheme, Andrew Alcorn, said: "We are
delighted the RIO partnership has won this inaugural award
from Cornwall Strategic Partnership. This shows the real benefits
of organisations working together with the local community
to deliver a project that has benefits for residents, the
travelling public and the surrounding environment of Goss
Moor.
"The scale of the opportunities provided by the
£93 million road meant that no single organisation could
meet the potential for improvements so the organisations joined
forces to develop a positive vision for the future of the
Goss Moor National Nature Reserve."
Local author and historian Ken Rickard, said: "Local
communities will now be able to use the moor for their leisure
activities and to explore nature. The County Council, English
Nature and the Highways Agency have achieved this only by
working together. I'm very pleased with the projects and the
partnership has to be congratulated for the way it has utilised
its resources to arrive at this stage. In my opinion this
deserves an award of public recognition."
Local concern on the lack of access to the moor has led
to proposals for a circular footpath and cycle route following
the removal of the current A30 in 2007, five linked walks
connecting local communities, and a Newquay to St Austell
cycle route via Goss Moor. Work has already begun on some
of these projects and investment has been secured.
For further information please contact Wailim Wong on 01752
635053 or 07748 654468.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly has invested in the Goss Moor and Environs
Rural Issues and Opportunities (RIO) project through the European
Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).
Anyone considering a new horticulture, food and
land based industries project is advised to speak with Maria
Ford, at Government Office South West on 01752 635015 before
commencing development as there are now only limited funds
available due to the successful uptake of funding by the agricultural
sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Editor's notes:
| 1. |
The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department
for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves the
network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf
of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other
transport operators and with local authorities to integrate
the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads
and other forms of travel. |
| 2. |
The award name is the 'Quality Living Environment District
Level Partnership Award', organised by the Cornwall Strategic
Partnership. |
| 3. |
Established in 2001, RIO has been a continual process
of consultation to develop the local community's aspirations
for the future through village open days, public walks
on the moor, press coverage, presentations at parish council
meetings, information on local websites and posters. |
| 4. |
Organisations involved in the RIO initiative include
English Nature, the Environment Agency, Cornwall County
Council, Restormel Borough Council, Objective One, local
parish councils, Sustrans, Ride UK, bus and train companies,
National Grid, Western Power, the Countryside Agency,
Alfred McAlpine and china clay company Imerys. |
| 5. |
Cornwall Strategic Partnership is a group of 30 representatives
of the public, private and voluntary sectors working together
to improve the quality of life in Cornwall. The CSP put
together the Cornwall Community Strategy which is a countywide
blueprint for delivering public services. |
Media enquiries out of hours can be made to 0207 081 7443.
All other enquiries about the Highways Agency, its role and
responsibilities, should be made through the Highways Agency
Information Line on 08457 504030.
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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