Frustrated residents gathered on a road which has been closed for almost nine months to “demand action” this week.

People living around Little Polgooth, between St Austell and Grampound, have faced months of upheaval since Storm Goretti led to damage and a road closure. Cllr Julie Cunningham (Reform UK, St Mewan and Grampound) said locals have had enough of “endless gridlock”.

The road was closed in January due to a fallen tree. Nine months later, it remains inaccessible, with residents navigating “frustratingly long workarounds”. But during a friendly “demonstration” on Tuesday (September 1), residents met highways staff and heard how a road repair design will be implemented and outline the timeline.

Cllr Cunningham said Tuesday’s meeting “went very well. An engineer and his colleague attended to answer the residents’ questions and explain how the design will be implemented and outlined the timeline.

“They estimated the work will take four weeks from start to finish. The engineer promised to keep both the residents and me updated as things progress. The meeting was calm and constructive, and well received by most of the locals I spoke with. Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome and hopeful they stick to the planned schedule”.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “January’s storm caused a major embankment collapse, not just a fallen tree. Reopening the road safely requires a complex repair, including piling works and the diversion of underground utility services.

“We have prioritised this site for repair this year and are progressing the final design. Recent investigations have helped us identify the location of underground services so we can move the scheme forward. We expect to complete the design in the coming weeks and will then meet with the local community to discuss the project in more detail.”