THE Department for Transport have confirmed it will not fund the long-awaited Camelford Bypass, after years of campaigning from local residents, businesses, councillors and MPs.

Roads Minister MP Lilian Greenwood stated in a letter to area MP for North Cornwall Ben Maguire that Ministers have decided not to approve Cornwall Council’s Outline Business Case for the bypass scheme.

She clarifies that, following detailed assessment of the business case, it was found to “represent poor value for money”.

In 2023 councillors, officers and North Cornwall MP at the time Scott Mann met with the then Roads Minister, MP Guy Opperman, to discuss the scheme to build a bypass around Camelford.

It was confirmed funds had been provisionally made available for the scheme as part of the Network North announcement in October 2023. This saw funds reallocated from HS2 to infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

However, today’s news is in complete contrast to these promises.

Reacting to the news, Mr Maguire said: “This will be a major disappointment to people in Camelford, but at least we finally have an answer. The truth is, this scheme has been stuck in limbo for years, constantly floated as if it's just about to go ahead and then shelved without any clarity.

“I’ve been pushing Ministers for answers since my election, from private meetings to letters and questions in the House. We’ve finally got a decision which ends the uncertainty and now we can move forward.

“I’ve already started working with local councillors and community leaders to explore viable alternatives which must have the support and backing of Camelford’s community. I’ll be lobbying the Department for Transport to get behind a new plan. This is definitely not the end of tackling Camelford’s traffic issues.

“With the bypass off the table, we now need serious investment in practical transport improvements. No more empty promises or indefinite delays.”