Cornwall finds an extra £2.5m for road repairs

Cornwall Council will pump an extra £3.5m into repairing the county’s roads and improving flood defence schemes.

The Council’s Cabinet approved £2.5m of emergency funding after initial assessments of landslips and infrastructure damage from the November and December floods revealed the costs of repairs will reach in excess of £8.5m.

A further £1m has been set aside to support future flood defence schemes in areas which have suffered repeat flooding.

Currently, there are restrictions in place on several sections of roads, as well as on public rights of way and the coastal footpath across Cornwall, while engineers develop plans for repairing the damage.

Areas which suffered particular damage include the B3247 Seaton to Hessenford; the A387 at St Martin’s Hill in Looe and a coastal defence in Penzance.

Bert Biscoe, the Council’s portfolio holder for Transportation, Highways and Environment Operations said: “This money will be a great help in immediately addressing the worst effects of the recent bad weather.

“The ongoing maintenance challenges, such as potholes, remain a significant pressure on the reduced highways maintenance budget.

“No money in the world can compensate for the willing commitment of all those who have worked to keep Cornwall safe and moving over the last few weeks. On behalf of all those who felt the effects of the flooding, we are thankful.”