NORTH Cornwall’s MP has met with the government transport minister to discuss the future of the Camel Trail.

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, met with transport minister Simon Lightwood MP at the Department for Transport this week, to officially discuss his proposal to extend the Camel Trail further up the river valley to Camelford.

The meeting follows Maguire’s recent letter to the minister, in which he outlined the significant economic, environmental and health benefits that an extension of the trail could deliver for the people of North Cornwall - particularly for the town of Camelford, where the proposed extension would end.

Mr Maguire explained that the Camel Trail already attracts over 400,000 users each year and is one of the most popular off-road cycling and walking routes in the country. The MP has said that extending it to Camelford would open up new active travel opportunities, help reduce car dependency, and bring increased footfall to local businesses.

It also aligns with the government’s commitment to creating nine new National River Walks and Cornwall’s ambition for 50 per cent of all journeys under five miles to be made via active travel by 2030.

Commenting after the meeting, Ben Maguire MP said: “It was great to sit down with the Minister and officially put the case of extending the Camel Trail to Camelford directly on his desk. The potential of this project is absolutely huge - not only for tourism in Cornwall, and for our local economy, but for connecting communities in a very sustainable way.

“I’ll be working hard to make sure places like Camelford aren’t ever left behind when it comes to infrastructure investment or economic growth, and look forward to taking these plans further in the coming months.”