‘Long-awaited scheme is under way’: Multi-million pound Cornwall A30 upgrade to start in 2021

Image credit: Highways England

Highways England is urging companies in and around Cornwall to play a part in the multi-million pound upgrade of the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross.

The improvement scheme will aim to not only dual an 8.7-mile section of single carriageway, alleviating the impact on local communities and helping to improve journey times and increase safety by unlocking one of Cornwall’s last major bottlenecks, but will also help to unlock economic growth in the county.

Costain, Highways England’s contractors, have been busy with the diversion of utilities, vegetation clearance and ground investigation work, and with the main construction phase of the scheme due to start this year, local businesses are being urged to get involved.

As construction activities increase in the area, so will job opportunities, both directly with the contractors and through the supply chain. The types of services and people required will include plant, fencing, track matting, catering, cleaning, accommodation and hospitality.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “I am delighted work on this long-awaited scheme is under way – this part of the A30 suffers from major delays and congestion, particularly in summer, but that will soon be a thing of the past thanks to this upgrade.

“It’s also going to provide a fantastic economic boost for this part of the country, with construction bringing great opportunities for local businesses looking to get involved.”

The £330 million upgrade 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.

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