A MASSIVE project to redefine Bodmin as a vibrant economic town could include a new orbital road network to bypass the centre.

Planners are aware that a successful redevelopment and expansion of the town centre to attract more shoppers will be hindered by the amount of traffic forced to use an already congested Dennison Road.

Now an alternative relief road system, north and south of Bodmin, has been revealed as a possible solution.

The town will also see a huge population increase in the coming years, with thousands of new homes planned.

Planners said the present infrastructure cannot cope with the economic and residential growth envisaged and a root-and-branch overhaul is required over the next two decades or so.

Proposal

Consultants GVA Grimley and NEW Masterplanning have been employed to draw up a visionary plan for Bodmin, and said they were keen not to describe the new ring road network as a bypass, but that it was a proposal that needed to be looked at.

Matt Morris, from Bristol-based GVA Grimley, explained: "We are looking at a number of options and some will include new links around the town.

"We as a team want the best for Bodmin and there may have to be a local distributor road for the town to serve the new development that is planned. We are very aware of the problems with Dennison Road and it is something that is being looked at, but that does not mean it will definitely happen.

"But the amount of traffic using Dennison Road needs to be looked at because it will affect the attractiveness of the town centre where we not only want local residents to shop but want people from outside Bodmin to use.''

The first public consultation exercise and exhibition took place last week and Mr Morris was encouraged by the interest shown in the overall scheme.

"We were really pleased to hear the constructive comments that were made. The vast majority of people were very positive about what was trying to be achieved and want the town to get better and saw this as a real opportunity for Bodmin,'' he said.

The Bodmin Masterplan will guide all future initiatives for the town over the next two decades and £400,000 of European funding has been obtained to prepare it.

Bodmin is seen as the fastest-growing town in Cornwall with job creation and sustainability to cater for an increased population key to redevelopment.

Bodmin currently employs more than 8,000 people.

Some £10m of European Convergence funding has been earmarked to attract more employers.

More than 13,000 new homes are destined to be built in North Cornwall, a significant proportion of them in Bodmin.

More leisure facilities, more green spaces and an expanded shopping centre which would attract High Street retailers are some of the priority areas which consultants and Cornwall Council planning officers are now working on before the final masterplan is completed next January.

Paul Webber, project officer for the Masterplan at Cornwall Council, added: "Bodmin faces substantial growth over the next 20 years and a fresh vision and plan are required to guide this anticipated growth, which should result in an overall physical, social and economic revival of the town.''

Important

Ann Kerridge, a county councillor for Bodmin closely involved in the project, said finding a way to relieve the centre of traffic congestion was very important.

"We need to explore the feasibility of both a north or south relief road, but cost and environmental issues are likely to be challenging,'' she added.