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131017 | I WRITE to make a few points objecting to the siting of the proposed park at Marsh lane, Angarrack

Spotted in The Cornishman letters page Thursday, October 17 2013

Retail park site

I WRITE to make a few points objecting to the siting of the proposed park at Marsh lane, Angarrack.

Firstly, it is marshland and has been for the last 40-odd years that I have walked past the area - the name Marsh Lane gives it away, although I see on Cranford's plans they have changed the name of that part of the lane and extended Grist Lane.  A couple of years ago they were digging large trenches to try to drain the land. There are already existing signs in an area of Marks & Spencer's car park stating that it is liable to flooding.

Secondly, traffic is already a problem at peak times: summer, Christmas and sale times particularly. Traffic backs up on the A30 to Camborne and the road to Connor Downs, causing long tailbacks. The only way to avoid that roundabout is through Angarrack, using Steamers/Hatches Hills, which is the route which many locals, trucks and vans use now. Putting traffic lights on the roundabout and adding another lane is not going to alleviate the problem it just means there will be two lanes queuing instead of one.  At the moment it is just a nuisance but with such a hug development it will become a serious problem.

Thirdly, Cranford says it would create jobs.  Most of the jobs created by the existing park are low-paid, part-time ones. Such a large development would have a big impact on the small businesses already in Hayle and Copperhouse, many of which are cafes, restaurants, small gift and dress shops, and I suspect many would find their trade depleted. Few visitors leave the existing retails park and then go into Hayle; most take the A30 to Penzance or Camborne.

Fourthly, staff at the existing retail park are not allowed to use their car park when going to work. They tend to park in the nearby industrial estate, the rugby club, or on the road leading to Angarrack.  If this new retail park is going to provide so many jobs, where ill they be parking?  If it is to provide 450 part-time jobs, then I would think there would be around 100 staff there at any one time: where would they be parking?  Mr Oakley, of Cranford's, told me they would be cycling to work. Much as it might be nice to have these shops close by, this is not the place for it to be.   Far better that the new fire and ambulance stations were sited there, with direct access to the A30.

MARYLYN KENNARD
Angarrack