CORNWALL Council has said it will be working with the local community following the government’s decision against providing funding for the Camelford Bypass.

The Department for Transport has confirmed it will not provide funding for re-routing the A39 Atlantic Highway at Camelford, bringing an end to four years of uncertainty about the project’s future.

Cornwall Council applied for funding from the government’s Major Roads programme in 2021 to help cut traffic in Camelford town centre, ease congestion, improve air quality, and support the local economy.

However, significant increases in construction and material costs tripled the original budget of £48-million to more than £146-million.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, Cllr Dan Rogerson, said the news provided some much-needed clarity for residents in the area and that the council will work with Camelford Town Council, local MP Ben Maguire and the local community to look at the options available.

He said: “At the very least this decision ends four years of uncertainty and, while I can appreciate the local community may feel disappointed by the news, I want to reassure residents that we will continue to work towards tackling the issues they raised during the 2020 public consultations.”

Cllr Mark Burnett, Cornwall Council local member for Camelford and Boscastle, said: “The decision of the government not to fund the Camelford Bypass is obviously a disappointment to the people of Camelford and means that they will have to continue to endure the heavy volume of traffic through the town on an unsuitable road.

“That said after years of waiting and being in limbo at least we now have a definitive decision and we can all move forward and work collectively to see if there are any other alternative solutions to solve this problem.”