CAMPAIGNERS claim a “planning oversight” at Newquay’s urban expansion is putting lives at risk.

Residents believe the Duchy of Cornwall should have incorporated a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing along the A3059 at Nansledan, which has a 30mph speed limit.

They say there is nowhere safe to cross near the Nansledan roundabout or along the road between Sabzi and The Cornish Pantry since the route fully opened due to traffic getting heavier.

A campaign has now been launched to persuade the Duchy of Cornwall and Cornwall Council to install the safety measure.

The Duchy of Cornwall stated the road has undergone a full technical assessment and road safety audit by Cornwall Council, the highways authority, which would determine whether a traffic light pedestrian crossing was needed.

The Duchy said it will continue to work alongside the council to monitor traffic and pedestrian safety in the area as the community grows and consider any further measures that are needed.

Campaigners have urged Cornwall Council to step in and take urgent action, but the authority reportedly suggested “token” traffic calming measures that “fall far short of what is needed.”

Resident Jo Ingram said: “There is soon to be 4,000 homes. We currently have 1,000 homes, a nursery, school, three play parks and not one safe light-controlled crossing to bring traffic to a stop.

“How are those who are disabled or unable to predict traffic speed expected to safety cross a 30mph road?

“Many disabled residents and those with young children are now in fact getting in their cars to do very short journeys as it is safer than crossing the roundabout of the A3059 at rush hour - completely against the ethos of Nansledan.

“As a concerned resident of Nansledan this shocking planning oversight by the Duchy of Cornwall is putting lives at risk.

“The Duchy estate secured planning permission for a new strategic route through the heart of our community without including a single safe, traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing.

“This failure is placing our most vulnerable residents including children, the elderly, and disabled people in danger every day.

“Despite repeated calls to Cornwall Council for urgent action, including from residents witnessing near misses and dangerous crossings daily, we’ve had no response and no progress.

“Token traffic calming measures have been suggested, but they fall far short of what’s needed. We believe this is a vital public interest story highlighting a dangerous neglect of basic safety in a high-profile, modern housing development.

“We would be hugely grateful if you could consider covering this issue to help bring national attention to a situation that desperately needs resolving before someone is seriously hurt.

“The Duchy will likely just say it’s the council’s issue, but this inaction is just a ticking time bomb waiting for an accident to happen.”

A spokesman for the Duchy of Cornwall said: "All main roads in Nansledan undergo a full technical assessment and road safety audit by Cornwall Council, which is the local highways authority.

“This has been the case throughout the development, including the route in question. We will continue to work alongside the Council to monitor traffic and pedestrian safety in the area as the community grows, and to consider any further measures where needed."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “New roads and changes to the public highway are subject to road safety audits both before and after completion.

“We will continue to work alongside the Duchy of Cornwall to monitor traffic levels and pedestrian safety and will consider additional measures if appropriate.”