Annex 4 - Regeneration and Congestion - Detailed Strategies

Bodmin occupies a strategic position roughly half way between Plymouth and Truro, and at the convergence of the A30 and A38. This has encouraged development in the local area and the town boasts several of the largest employers in Cornwall. Manufacturing and business support are the main economic areas. In terms of population, Bodmin is the largest settlement in north Cornwall. Development to consolidate it's important role in north Cornwall as an employment and service centre is set to continue. However, the increasing economic development is outstripping the resident labour market and as a consequence, there is an increasing trend of inward travel to work trips.

The Bodmin Traffic Management Strategy has informed the five year strategy for the town. We have undertaken a priority assessment of the proposals included within these studies, which has determined the schemes to be taken forward. The strategy for Bodmin (as defined under the 'toolkit') is illustrated figure 1.24. The five year Regeneration and Congestion Strategy is represented in map form in Figure 1.25.

Improvements to Bus

There are strong links between the urban centres of Bodmin and St Austell in the centre of Cornwall. A significant number of travel to work trips take place between the two towns in almost equal measure. Both towns are employment centres which attract inward commuter trips. In order to provide alternative sustainable travel options, the Bodmin - St Austell bus route will be targeted for improvements. These will include:

• inter-town bus stop enhancements;

• real time SMS information;

• targeted publicity and marketing; and

• ticketing initiatives aimed at major employers.

Together with our partner organisations, including Caradon District Council and Sustrans, we are developing section six of The Cornish Way into south-east Cornwall.  The trail will connect Bodmin and Torpoint, providing a link between the Cornish and Devon parts of the National Cycle Network (NCN). The proposed trail is referred to as the ‘South Coast Trail’, and will link to The North Cornwall Trail, The Coast and Clay Trail and The Camel Trail at Bodmin. This would make the town the hub of the cycle network and will create a link between the south and north coast of Cornwall, the Devon border and Plymouth. 

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The scheme will promote sustainable tourism objectives, providing infrastructure that supports the economic regeneration of rural communities and contributes to healthy living objectives by increasing the opportunities for healthy exercise. The proposal will be a boost to the rural economy within the Torpoint/Cremyll–Looe–Bodmin corridor.

The proposal will be a significant sustainable tourism initiative for south east Cornwall, which will help to protect the key distinctiveness of the natural environment.  Also, it will promote walking and cycling as environmentally friendly forms of transport for social, recreational and work purposes.

Workplace Travel Plans

At over 4,000 people a day, Bodmin has the fourth largest number of inbound travel to work trips in Cornwall. As a result, the following major employers will be invited to work together on Travel Plans to achieve an overall 5% reduction in employee car use through the life of the LTP 2. 

• St Merryn Meat;

• Roach Foods;

• Fitzgerald Lighting; and

• Cornwall Healthcare Trust.

These employers have a potential 1,180 employees that could benefit from travel planning. A 5% reduction equates to 59 cars per day. Other smaller employers on the same industrial estates will be invited to take part in joint initiatives such as car-sharing.

The LTP2 programme for Bodmin is contained in Table 1.7.