A second lane has been opened on the A30 eastbound between Temple and Higher Carblake and will remain open for the summer - doubling the capacity on the well known bottleneck.

With work to build the dual carriageway on schedule for completion next spring, the construction team from contractors Kier have been working around the clock to meet the aim of having two lanes in place eastbound in time for the busy summer holiday season.

More than one million people are set to benefit from the opening of the second lane, which will be open until September 4.

"This is very welcome news for the tourist industry in Cornwall and visitors joining us this summer," said Lord St Levan, chairman of Visit Cornwall. "The opening of a second lane eastbound means after enjoying all that Cornwall has to offer, visitors won't have their memories diminished by queuing at this well-known bottleneck."

Mel Colton-Dyer, head of business connections and skills at Cornwall Council, added: “The dualling at Temple hasn’t been without unforeseen complications – many of which won’t have been discernable to the public. We’re thrilled therefore that Cornwall Council has succeeded in opening another lane just in time for the summer season, and wholeheartedly support its decision to make the additional lane outbound to avoid the lasting memory of visitors leaving Cornwall to be one of severe traffic congestion."

Steve Wood, projects team leader from Cornwall Council, added: "We know how important this route is to local people, visitors and businesses and are pleased to have been able to achieve a second lane running eastbound in time for peak season.

"We have also been working with our colleagues at Highways England to ensure people travelling westbound can be provided with as much information as possible both before setting off and while on their way to Cornwall."

Since construction on the dual carriageway began last year, contractors Kier have cut around 70,000 cubic metres of earth, laid around 3,000 cubic metres of concrete and installed 10,000 linear metres of drainage.

Jamie Bee, project manager for Kier, said: "The Kier team and our supply chain have worked extremely hard, seven days a week, including a five week programme of permanent night-shifts to increase the capacity of the A30 for the summer holiday period. This intensive programme period has seen us complete the bridge decks over the road and approximately 3.5km of new carriageway. It has been a huge effort from all those involved and I am very pleased that we have managed to achieve this significant milestone”.

Nick Reed from Highways England, said: “We continue to work closely with Cornwall Council to deliver this project and ensure that disruption to motorists in kept to a minimum.”

The A30 Temple to Higher Carblake dual carriageway improvement scheme is being led by Cornwall Council in partnership with the Department for Transport and Highways England.

People due to travel westbound on the A30 past the roadworks are being advised to plan ahead where possible. Advice on where to go for live traffic information, as well as alternative routes and peak travel times, are available on the council's website cornwall.gov.uk/a30Temple. More information about the A30 Temple to Higher Carblake dual carriageway scheme is available at kier-a30Cornwall.co.uk.