Cornwall Council endorses green infrastructure investment strategy

A strategy to invest in green infrastructure in Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth has been approved by Cornwall Council.

The Green Infrastructure Strategy aims to support and invest in infrastructure that promotes reduced car use and increased activity levels among residents.

The strategy was developed after a public consultation with residents was conducted last year.

Olly Monk, the Council’s portfolio holder for housing and planning, said: ‘The strategy gives us the opportunity as a planning authority to make sure that any green infrastructure being delivered reflects the ambitions of local residents, and that contributions towards green infrastructure from developers are spent on the projects that are most important locally.’

The new plans outline what green infrastructure links are already in place, how they can be improved and where new links can be added to create a wider green travel network.

The strategy looks at a range of areas including cycle routes, urban green spaces, parks and play areas, and community gardens, and sets out the priorities for green infrastructure in the next nine years.

Barbara Ellenbroek, local member for Redruth South, portfolio holder for children and families, and a member of the GI working group, said: ‘Travelling from one side of our area to the other, or out to the countryside or coast without using a car, is currently difficult. The primary focus of this strategy is to provide better and safer walking and cycling routes to the coast at Portreath and Gwithian, to Tehidy Country Park and across the urban area.

‘We hope that these new and improved travel routes will provide a real alternative and encourage people to leave their car behind and travel by foot or bicycle. We also want to make sure that we have a wide range of green infrastructure to appeal across the age groups to encourage people to make use of their nearby green spaces and connect with nature. We hope that the strategy will increase the attractiveness of our town centres which in turn may boost economic growth.’

In related news, progress towards a fair and sustainable economy is happening at differing rates in different parts of Cornwall, according to a new report published by researchers at the University of Exeter. 

Photo by Greg Willson