Ramp It Up!

An access and parking update.

We have submitted the petition with over 1000 signatures showing the strength of feeling on this issue locally.

Following the trip around the Cornwall Council site on the old Cattle Market wearing hard hats, and the discussion of the proposed pedestrian route at the Town Council meeting, we all believed a plan was in progress. The pedestrian route around the site and/or temporary pedestrianising of Varley Lane was expected for the start of September. 

At the end of August Cornwall Council retracted this promise and to date there are no mitigations to support residents or visitors to Liskerrett with limited mobility. 

Cllr Rachel Brooks has again submitted a motion to the Town Council which will be voted on tonight. The meeting is in the Public Hall at 7.30pm, September 24^th. Here is the wording:

Motion for Liskeard Town Council on 24 September 2024 

Liskeard Town Council previously resolved to make representations to Cornwall Council to maximise access through the Cattle Market Car Park and Varley Lane during the construction of the Integrated Services Hub. The Town Council notes that the response from Kevin Reader of Cornwall Council to this has been to withdraw even the limited access proposal they had made. 

The Town Council still wants to engage constructively with Cornwall Council on this issue and is very disappointed by this response. 

The Town Council resolves: 

1) To seek an urgent meeting with the relevant Cornwall Council portfolio holder to discuss this issue and find a way forward. 

2) To seek advice on whether the closure of this byway is legal. 

3 If there has not been significant movement from Cornwall Council within the next two weeks to make a formal complaint to Cornwall Council: a) That there was no meaningful consultation about the closure of access between the car park and Varley Lane, which was not mentioned in the application for planning permission.

1. b) That the closure has an unacceptable impact on local residents, users of the Liskerrett Community Centre and Liskerrett itself, and the Cornwall Council has not put forward proportionate proposals to mitigate this.
2. c) That we re-iterate the need to enable safe walking routes and suitable parking, especially for people with disabilities and those with limited mobility. 

4) If there is no satisfactory resolution to this complaint to appeal to the Local Government Ombudsman.

If you are able, please do attend the meeting tonight. 

We have discussed the issue with Anna Gelderd who has now raised it with Kate Kennally, Cornwall Council's Chief Executive.  We would urge you all to communicate with Kate Kennally, Linda Taylor, the Cornwall Council Leader and David Harris. 

We will be submitting a formal complaint to Cornwall Council about this and we’re encouraging as many people as possible to do the same.  To make these as effective as possible it’s important to base it on your own experience but it could contain points like: 

• The lack of meaningful consultation about the closure of access between the car park and Varley Lane, which was not mentioned in the application for planning permission.
• The impact the closure has had on you and the fact that Cornwall Council has not put forward adequate proposals to address this.
• What you want to see , which might include safe walking routes and suitable parking, especially for people with disabilities and those with limited mobility

 Kate Kennally: kkennally@cornwall.gov.uk

Linda Taylor:    cllr.linda.taylor@cornwall.gov.uk

David Harris: cllr.david.harris@cornwall.gov.uk

Complaints: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/the-council-and-democracy/feedback-and-complaints/

What may seem like a small matter to those far from Liskeard, is having a serious impact on the proper functioning of Liskerrett and making life very difficult for residents at this side of town. 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Best Wishes

Team Liskerrett

Tuesday August 6th