CALLS have been made for Cornwall Council to make a U-turn on its safety measures installed in Newquay.

The council put in place no right turn signage at the Lane and Trencreek junctions and bollards along the centre of the A392 after motorists stuck in a queue at the junctions have pulled out into oncoming traffic on the busy route.

However, residents state the bollards have become “redundant” since Trencreek was turned into a cul-de-sac.

Long vehicle drivers have also struggled to access Lane and Trencreek since the bollards were installed.

Newquay could also potentially lose out on siting a breast screening unit that is in need of a new home if the bollards are not removed or replaced with spring-loaded flexible bollards.

Lane Theatre has offered to locate the vital service, but the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has stated the site is unsuitable as a transporter would not have enough room to make the turn due to the bollards.

Dr Vince Williams said: “Now that the Trencreek road is no longer a through route, could it be time to remove the ‘temporary’ no right turn restrictions and centre of the road bollards altogether.

“Alternatively, could sprung loaded flexible bollards be put in instead so that long vehicles can just drive over them to make the turn. The bollards would then just spring back up again.

“Long vehicles struggle to make the turn, they are driving over the grass verges and turning them into a muddy mess, and they are repeatedly knocking down the barriers around the still broken BT manhole cover.”

Paul Sim, the secretary of Newquay Dramatic Society, added: “It is the case that NHS Cornwall approached us with regard to siting the breast screening unit in our parking area from time to time after some of our patrons recommended it to them.

“I met two representatives from the screening team on site, and it was agreed the area was okay with some minor touches and they would check with the transport firm if they could get the unit on site. Newquay Dramatic Society which owns Lane Theatre was very happy to be able to contribute to the community in this way as it would save many people an inconvenient drive to Treliske for a screening.

“Our entrance from the lane is no problem as this is wide and often takes coaches, but they came back to me to say that unfortunately the bollards at the end of the road meant the transporter did not have enough room to swing out to make the turn from the A392 and therefore would be unable to site the unit with us.

“It has been obvious from the time the bollards were placed in the middle of the road that there were problems.

“Longer vehicles need access to that lane for businesses further down from us and the kerb and manhole covers were regularly damaged on the corner as the rear wheels of any long vehicle would drag over the kerb.

“Our opinion is that, since the road opposite that leads to part of Trencreek is now a cul-de-sac since the level crossing was closed, there is very little traffic using it so much of the problems with queuing traffic would no longer arise either.

“Also, it is ridiculous that the bollards extend as far as the bus stop on the eastbound side as when a bus stops to pick up or drop passengers, the road in that direction is totally blocked.

“It would be such a shame that Newquay could miss out on local screening because of this. I understand that a site has been sought for some time without success and believe the reason for installing the bollards has largely been made redundant.”

Cornwall councillor Kevin Towill said: “I’m working with Cornwall councillor for Colan, Heinz Glanville, to find a long-term solution to the traffic problems in the area that have affected residents in both our divisions.”