TRAFFIC chaos ensued between Truro and Threemilestone when resurfacing works on Tresawls Road, close to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Work commenced on Monday [September 22] and is due to end on Friday, October 10, with overnight road closures from 7pm to 4am. The Malabar housing estate quickly became choked, with motorists reporting hour-long journeys hampered by parked cars.

Having been stuck in traffic herself, Cllr Dulcie Tudor (Independent, Threemilestone and Chacewater) wrote to Cornwall Council’s highways manager, Viv Bidgood, asking for clear notices of the diversion and road closure to be placed further back to give drivers who know the area the chance to take alternative routes, and for the work to start an hour later when traffic is lighter.

Mr Bidgood replied that the official diversion route “is not via Malabar, and there are no signs directing traffic via that route”. The closure of strategic roads requires a diversion route needs to be of the same category of road, in this case via the A390 out to the A30, then back to Truro from Carland Cross via the A39 and vice versa dependent on the direction of travel.

“I suspect the issues in Malabar are simply due to local traffic knowing the alternative minor road network in this area and trying to navigate around the closure using unsuitable roads, rather than following the official/signed diversion route,” Mr Bidgood added.

From now on, access to Malabar will be permitted for residents and buses only during overnight closures of the A390, and will be signed accordingly. Additional measures to address non-legitimate access via Malabar for the remaining period of the works include the deployment of additional traffic marshals and signage, and further barrier systems at Treliske Lane and Malabar. All vehicles will be stopped and drivers questioned before being allowed entry.

Regarding the 7pm start time, Mr Bidgood insisted “every effort is being made to minimise disruption”, offering contractors a sufficient working window to progress the scheme safely and efficiently while reducing late-night disturbance for residents.

“A later start, such as 9pm, would significantly shorten this working period, meaning either that works would overrun late into the night or that the overall programme would be extended. Both outcomes would result in a longer duration of disruption for residents and road users, as well as potential for further complaint from residents.”

Cllr Tudor said she was “pleased Highways have listened” to representations by herself and ward councillor Karen LaBorde. “I still feel there will be a degree of pain, and I would still like to know how they are going to get people to prove they live in Malabar,” she added.

“With any work like this, there are unintended consequences, and I do feel they could have anticipated this.”

Cllr Tudor took a pragmatic view of the work itself: “Someone asked me on Facebook if you are really going to expect a nurse who has just done a 12-hour shift to go all around the A30. Well, yes – I would say: take the hit, it will be over soon.”