Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2011 - 2016

Transport & Access

Visions

• Quality, integrated public transport services, green infrastructure and Rights of Way networks that increase the use of public transport and sustainable modes of travel within and into the AONB.

• A sustainable transport system that provides access to essential local services and offers
realistic transport choices that reduces the need to travel by car.

• A well connected and maintained Rights of Way system which is able to respond to management pressures and which meets the needs of local people and visitors to the AONB.

• Road and transport schemes and associated infrastructure (road lighting, signage etc)
which respect and enhance the landscape character of the AONB while avoiding clutter and minimising light, air and noise pollution.

Background

The rural road network is one of the defining elements of the Cornish landscape with narrow
winding lanes, often deeply cut, bounded by Cornish hedges of differing pattern and geology. Rights of Way criss-cross farmland and moorland, enabling access to the wonderful countryside and coast of the AONB on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Traditional infrastructure associated with the road and Rights of Way network like the iconic fingerposts
and milestones, stone stiles and historic pathways such as the Coffin Trail from Zennor to St Ives are part of the rich history of the protected landscape. High quality management of these associated historic assets is vital to maintaining and enhancing the landscape quality of the AONB.

In terms of public access and rights of way, Cornwall is of national significance having 431km (47%) of Britain’s longest National Trail, the South West Coast Path. Other longer distance routes include The Saint’s Way, the Mineral Tramways, The Lands End Trail and the Tinner’s Way. Large parts of Bodmin Moor and parts of West Penwith are also areas of
‘Open Access’ land over which the public have legal rights of walking access. The AONB is also significant in terms of Cornwall’s Rights of Way with over a third of Cornwall’s total length of rights of way within the AONB (86% of which are footpaths), whilst over 70% of the South West Coast Path passes through the protected landscape7.

Generally the AONB road network is characterised by minor rural roads and narrow lanes. However, alongside the minor roads, there are some significant A roads, not least the A30 which splits the Bodmin Moor section of the AONB in half, the A39, which buzzes over the southern end of the Camel Estuary section and the A3078 which splits the Roseland down the centre, all having a significant impact.

Aside from roads, within the AONB there are small but active airfields at Perranporth and
Lands End. Five rail branch lines, which include Looe, Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives, are all key points of access to AONB coastal areas. The main public bus services are operated
by First Devon and Cornwall, and Western Greyhound with a number of local operators
including the Corlink service which responds to demand in rural areas. There are a number
of ports and ferry terminals around the coast, operating both commercially and for leisure
trips. Ferry services provide links along the Fal, Helford, Camel and Fowey estuaries, and also across Plymouth Sound, across the mouth of the River Tamar from the Rame Head section.

Access to the tranquil countryside of the AONB is vital for the health and well being of local
people and the experience of visitors. A good public transport system and well maintained
rights of way network are vital to the sustainable movement of people into and around the AONB areas, particularly from the main towns close to the AONB boundary.

7. Cornwall AONB Atlas Companion Report, Land Use Consultants, Jan 2010

Management Framework

• Section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires LocalAuthorities to prepare and publish Rights of Way Improvement Plans within 5 years and to assess and review plans at intervals of not more than 10 years

• Cornwall Council and the Cornwall Countryside Access Forum will undertake a strategic review of the Public Rights of Way network and the Cornwall Access Strategy (including the Cornwall Rights of Way Improvement Plan) with management proposals due in summer 2011

• The Cornwall Countryside Access Forum meets regularly to discuss access issues within Cornwall to provide advice to Cornwall Council and other organisations on how to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable

• Rural roads protocols set out how a Local Authority will consider landscape and heritage
assets in road schemes. They provide an excellent opportunity to improve the consideration of landscape issues within roads maintenance and enhancement

• ‘Departures from Standards’ can be sought from the Highways Authority where the standard design of a roadway improvement project has the potential to negatively impact on the AONB

• The new Local Transport Plan 3 (2011-2030) will be prepared within the time frame of the new AONB Management Plan and could be mutually supportive

• Green Infrastructure (GI) is a managed network of natural spaces. It can provide routes from built up areas into the countryside and provide space for Rights of Way or recreation areas

• Natural England’s Walking for Health programme (WfH) encourages people to enjoy their local natural spaces and benefit their health by taking part in health walks led by trained volunteer walk leaders

• Mobilise! is a Cornwall-wide initiative that aims to get people more active, more often, through cycling and walking

• Open Access land over West Penwith and Bodmin Moor presents an opportunity to increase access to the AONB, if carefully managed

• The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 gives a duty to secure a long distance walking
trail with buffer around the open coast of England

• The harbours and slipways of the AONB coast and estuaries provide opportunities for both
recreational and commercial water based transport. The King Harry Ferry, The St Mawes ferry and the Fowey to Mevagissey Ferry and the Cremyl Ferry from Plymouth to Mount Edgcumbe are good examples of water based transport links

• The ‘Fal Oyster Card’ gives unrestricted ‘hop on hop off’ travel on the Fal River Links network of ferries, buses and trains and is a good example of an integrated transport initiative

• The South West Coast Path (SWCP) extends along all Cornwall’s coastline and is an important recreational and environmental asset for locals and tourists

• The South West Coast Path team exist to co-ordinate the strategic management and
promotion of the SWCP

• The ‘South West Coast Path Framework for Action 2007-2012’ aims to ensure that the
National Trail is recognised and managed to the highest standard whilst delivering maximum
social and economic benefits

• The TRAC Project and ‘Unlocking our Coastal Heritage’ project (see Sustainable Tourism) both aim to undertake significant route improvement/ creation

• The 1SW Off Road Cycling Project is also RDPE funded and aims to co-ordinate and
sustainably develop off road cycling. In Cornwall 1SW promotes trail hubs at Silverback Reservoir and links from the Camel Trail to Cardinham woods

Transport & Access Policies

TA1	Encourage a co-ordinated, strategic and planned approach to the management of open access land and public Rights of Way within the AONB to ensure good condition and connectivity
TA2	Encourage the design of transport and Rights of Way infrastructure that conserves and where possible enhances the historic character, biodiversity and geodiversity of the AONB and support the proactive de-cluttering of associated signage, lighting and furniture
TA3	Encourage proposals to improve the sustainable connectivity between population centres and nearby sections of the Cornwall AONB with appropriate Green Infrastructure which enhances landscape character and increases public health opportunities
TA4	Ensure appropriate and adequate provision of routes for cyclists, horse riders and mobility impaired users, within the Rights of Way network
TA5	Support measures to secure the adequate resources for the management in good condition of the existing public Rights of Way and countryside access network, within the AONB, seeking opportunities to work with volunteers and external funders on ‘access to the countryside’ schemes
TA6	Ensure that the South West Coast Path is maintained in good condition, well connected to circular routes inland and AONB settlements
TA7	Support and work with landowners in ensuring that any coastal access provision conserves and enhances coastal character
TA8	Promote the provision of well integrated and accessible, water-based, sustainable transport links within the estuaries and around the coast, ensuring landscape character is conserved and enhanced and environmental impact is minimised
TA9	Encourage and support partnerships which aim to achieve sustainable and joined up transport systems and seek opportunities to develop these initiatives across the AONB
TA10	Encourage co-ordinated public transport services which provide sustainable travel choices and alternatives to the private car for residents and visitors in order to alleviate congestion on rural roads

Transport & Access Actions

A/TA1	Include landscape, local distinctiveness and the AONB designation within the Local Transport Plan 3, Cornwall Access Strategy and Green Infrastructure Strategy – Cornwall Council Transportation and Highways and Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/TA2	Deliver activity as outlined in the ‘South West Coast Path Framework for Action 2007-2012’ and the Cornwall Access Strategy in relation to the management of the SWCP within the AONB – Cornwall Council Environment Service and South West Coast Path Team
A/TA3	Address AONB access considerations within the Strategic Access Review and revised Cornwall Access Strategy, integrated with the LTP3 – Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/TA4	Produce a rural roads and rights of way protocol, incorporating design guidance for roads and Rights of Way infrastructure within the AONB, integrated with the Cornwall Access Strategy and the LTP3 – Cornwall Council Transportation and Highways and Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/TA5	Develop a pilot project within rural AONB parishes, trialling approaches to decluttering, improved management of the heritage assets of the transport network and more efficient use of maintenance budgets – Cornwall Council Transportation and Highways and Cornwall Council Environment Service
A/TA6	Identify sustainable linkages between AONB sections and the major urban areas of Falmouth, Truro, Camborne/ Pool/ Redruth, Penzance, Helston, St Ives and Wadebridge within the Green Infrastructure Strategy and initiate a pilot project to improve links in an identified project area – Cornwall Council Environment Service and Cornwall Council Planning and Regeneration
A/TA7	Identify a number of circular routes from population centres into the AONB, using ROW, permissive routes and other trails and promote as part of the Unlocking our Coastal Heritage Project, TRAC Project, Walking for Health, Mobilise Cornwall or other similar initiative – Natural England and The South West Coast Path Team
A/TA8	Undertake an audit of points of access to the water within AONB estuaries e.g. slipways and quays, putting in place a system of monitoring of condition – Cornwall Council Environment Service and Cornwall AONB Unit

Further Information

Further information on condition, predicted trends, management framework and monitoring can be found in the web based appendices to this chapter http://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/management-plan/further-transport-and-access.html