Highways England’s A30 Cornwall upgrade to step up a gear in new year

The multi-million pound improvement scheme, given the green light by the Secretary of State for Transport earlier this year, will dual an 8.7-mile section of single carriageway and help to promote economic growth, improve journey times and increase safety by unlocking one of the last major bottlenecks in the county.

Since March, contractor Costain has been busy with the diversion of utilities, vegetation clearance and ground investigation work to inform the detailed design of the new route ahead of main earthworks and construction of new structures starting in early 2021.

A virtual public information event was held in August, to update local communities on the latest plans and timescales, and work is now set to move into its main works phase next month.

A number of unclassified roads will be closed in areas alongside the existing A30 carriageway, to allow for clearance and construction work, and all residents and businesses directly affected have been informed.

These include roads at Silverwell, closed between 11 January and 6 August, Marazan Farm, closed from 18 January to 28 January 2022, and Trevalso, closed between 19 January and 19 January, with signed local diversion routes in place.

Josh Hodder, Highways England’s Senior Project Manager for the A30 upgrade, said:

Improving the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross is incredibly important for Cornwall’s future, and we’re really excited to be stepping up our construction activities in the new year – 2021 is going to be a big year for the A30 project.

It’s the only remaining stretch of single carriageway on the A30 between Camborne and the M5 at Exeter, journeys are regularly delayed, congestion often brings traffic to a standstill, local communities are impacted, and as a result the Cornish economy is being held back.

Despite the Covid limitations Costain have progressed the early works well and we’re now looking to move the scheme forward in the new year. Our work will become more visible from next month, and although this will have an impact on communities and road users, we are committed to minimising any disruption, and we’ll continue to engage with and inform local residents and businesses.

The 8.7-mile road scheme includes:

• a 70mph high-quality dual carriageway
• a two-level junction at Chiverton Cross and a new roundabout to ensure the free flow of traffic on the A30
• a new partial junction at Chybucca built on two levels with west-facing slip roads to provide access onto the dual carriageway from local routes
• new bridges at Tolgroggan Farm, Pennycomequick Lane and over the Allet to Tresawsen road to provide local access
• a two-level junction at Carland Cross with a new roundabout north of the dual carriageway and re-using the existing roundabout to the south
• keeping the existing A30 as a local route with new sections where necessary to provide continuity and connectivity for local communities

With main construction work anticipated to start in the new year, Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, recently undertook a site visit to learn of the latest plans, timescales and the environmental mitigation in place. She said:

This is such an exciting and much-needed improvement, something that has been needed for a long time and it’s brilliant to see shovels in the ground.

Included in the project are nearly nine miles of high quality dual carriageway, provision for pedestrian, cyclists and horse riders, over 12 miles of wildlife proof fencing, eight miles of new Cornish hedgerow, 29 new culverts and wildlife crossings and 10 new underpasses/underbridges.

All in all, a major upgrade for our major road that will not only will improve safety, reduce congestion and improve efficiency, but will also unlock economic growth in this part of Cornwall.

The existing A30 will remain open while the scheme is being built alongside, although traffic management and speed restrictions will be introduced through next year to ensure the safety of both the travelling public and the workforce.

Local communities and road users will be kept informed as the scheme progresses and in the meantime, further information and updates will be available at the scheme web page

Local residents and businesses can also sign up for email notifications and there is also a dedicated community relations team available to answer any questions. The team can be contacted by email at a30chivertontocarlandcross@highwaysengland.co.uk.

If you’d prefer to speak to someone, then you can phone the project helpline on 0845 600 2664 or Highways England on 0300 123 5000 and one of the team based on the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme will call you back as soon as possible.

The cost of developing the scheme is being partly funded by an £8 million contribution from the European Regional Development Fund, with an additional £12 million for the construction phase. The remainder of the cost of developing and delivering the scheme is being funded by central Government.

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.