New bridge secures popular route to Luxulyan Valley

A popular walking route between St Blazey and the Luxulyan Valley has been transformed with the completion of a new footbridge and path improvements, securing an important off-road link between Par railway station and one of Cornwall's World Heritage Sites.

The route came to the attention of our teams through work to formally record public rights of way. While many routes require only minor improvements, this case presented a bigger challenge. The existing bridge over the River Par, constructed from old iron beams and timber sleepers, had been repaired by local users for many years and was nearing the end of its life.

With strong evidence of regular public use and no practical alternative route available, Cormac’s Eastern Rights of Way team worked to keep the path open while a replacement was developed. Temporary repairs, short-term closures and a scaffold bridge helped maintain access as much as possible throughout the project, while funding for a permanent replacement was secured through the Council's Capital Safety Programme.

The completed scheme includes a new footbridge and improved path surfaces, creating a safer and more accessible route. The investment has been warmly welcomed by the local community, safeguarding an important connection to the Luxulyan Valley and strengthening links within Cornwall's wider footpath network.

Cornwall's public rights of way network continues to evolve. While many routes were first recorded in the 1950's, others were missed altogether or have since gained legal status through decades of public use. This project demonstrates how formally recognising and improving these routes can help protect valued local connections and ensure they remain accessible for future generations.