The school has to move to meet the growing demand for places

Proposals have been put forward to move Richard Lander School in Truro to a site near Threemilestone on the outskirts of the city just off the A390 at Besore.

The local education authority says the school has to move outside the city so it can expand to meet the growing demand for places.

But residents and Carrick District councillors say the area is one of the main roads in and out of the city where motorists already face long delays.

Councillor John Dyer said school traffic would add to the existing chaos.

It would seem common sense for these pupils to follow on to a local secondary school rather than travel into Truro William Hoskings, councillor

"It's going to make matters worse," he said.

"They are just pushing the traffic problems further out of Truro and just prolonging the agony for motorists trying to get in and out of the city and the hospital at Treliske."

But county council head of transportation Colin Jarvis said the proposed site was the best place for the school.

"There is no magical solution for traffic congestion in Truro.

"It is important we put new developments in the right location that reduces the need for people to travel by car and gives them an alternative to use.

Modernise schools

"I am confident this location does that."

The new school is part of a �61m Private Finance Initiative Scheme to extend and modernise schools in Truro and Penryn.

But a meeting to discuss the proposals on Thursday night heard an attempt to gain support for the new secondary school to be built to serve villages on Cornwall's north coast.

Campaigners want the facility for pupils from the St Agnes and Perranporth area.

'Strong case'

William Hoskings, a councillor from Goonhavern near Newquay, said there was a strong case for a school nearer the coast.

"There are in excess of 1,000 pupils going to primary schools on the north coast.

"It would seem common sense for these pupils to follow on to a local secondary school rather than travel into Truro."

The proposals for a new site for the Richard Lander School will be considered by the Cornwall County Council planning committee on 12 December.