Scott is pro-actively campaigning for a bypass in Camelford to address traffic congestion and air quality issues.
Background
The A39 is the spine of North Cornwall. It directly connects three of the biggest communities in the constituency - Bude, Camelford and Wadebridge - and is a corridor for many visitors and goods vehicles along the north coast of Cornwall.
With Camelford located at the very heart of North Cornwall, the A39 runs right through its centre. As a result, the town experiences heavy levels of traffic in both directions which causes bottlenecks, delays, noise and air pollution.
There have long been calls for a bypass in Camelford, and in 2004, that nearly became a reality when planning permission was granted to build one around the northern edge of the town. Unfortunately, not all the funding could be secured, and the scheme was shelved after planning permission lapsed.
Scott's campaign
With traffic levels continually causing problems in the town and poor air quality becoming a greater concern for local residents, Scott wants to revive proposals for a bypass and he is proactively lobbying the Government and Cornwall Council for short and long term solutions.
Scott says there are many merits to having a bypass, as not only would it solve congestion issues and poor air quality, but it would spur economic growth to create jobs and attract business.
Knowing that a bypass is a long term aspiration, Scott is also concentrating on short term measures to remedy air quality concerns and congestion, and he has called on Cornwall Council to use a new £4 million National Productivity Investment Fund from central government to pay for road improvements.
He has also met with government ministers and Cornwall Council officials to discuss pollution and the merits of a bypass.
Air Quality and Pollution
With concerns over air pollution growing, a local campaign was started to address the issue, and an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) has subsequently been implemented by Cornwall Council.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NOX) levels have been measured for several years and an assessment has confirmed that poor air quality exists in the town. Work has started on an Action Plan to address the pollution which Scott will be following closely. You can find out more information here.
Poor air quality and traffic congestion are linked, and Scott has therefore asked Cornwall Council to conduct traffic surveys in the town and to use a new £4 million fund to pay for road improvements which could alleviate traffic congestion and pollution.
Economic Growth
The building of a bypass could spur significant economic growth in the town. Firstly, a bypass would allow through traffic to flow quicker and easier around the town while local-bound traffic can navigate the town centre with greater ease.This in itself makes the town more attractive for visitors. Second, a bypass would unlock land for development. This would attract businesses who want to base themselves along one of the main roads in Cornwall while being located next to a growing town .
Under the Localism Act 2011, Camelford Town Council is in the process of drawing up a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) which allows local people to have a say on how their town should grow and develop. Under the Act, it means communities can draw up plans which stipulate where housing and infrastructure should and should not be built and how development should take place. This could include a bypass and other developments.
Once passed at local referendum, these plans must be taken into consideration when Cornwall Council oversee planning applications.
