Communities to get more say on local road projects

Posted on: 14th April 2018

Communities to get more say on local road projects through Community Network Panels.

More decisions on spending for small highway schemes will now be made locally thanks to a new arrangement which gives Community Network Panels around Cornwall a budget for 20mph signs outside schools, parking controls, dropped kerbs and improvements for pedestrians.

Each Community Network Panel will be given a budget totaling £50,000 a year as part of this new council initiative which will see £1 million a year spent on these local transport priorities.

Portfolio Holder for Transport Councillor Geoff Brown said: “Local people know local needs best. We said we will be a listening Council, and that we wanted to increase local decision making – here is the proof.”

Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods Councillor Edwina Hannaford, said: “It’s great for local communities to be able to drive highway improvements based on local need. We know what a difference this funding could make and look forward to seeing the Community Network Groups spend their budget in a way that’s tailored to their specific areas.”

“This is a tangible way to improve the place where we live and encourages the community to get involved.”

Along with this transport funding being transferred to Cornwall Network Panels so they can spend on small local highway schemes, each panel will also be able to put forward one new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) each year to improve things like yellow lines in their area. This TRO will be funded by Cornwall Council and will not affect their £50,000 annual spend on highways schemes.

All ideas for local highway projects are to be decided by Community Network Panels by the end of 2018, with new schemes in place by the end of spring 2019.