When will new A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross open

National Highways said today (Friday) that the dualling of the Chiverton to Carland Cross section of the A30 had been expected to open at the end of March, but was now forecast to open for traffic in in June.

However, it said the road should still be open in time for the summer school holidays.

Construction of the major road upgrade had been initially delayed by the pandemic, before starting in 2021.

National Highways said since the scheme received its Development Consent Order in 2020, the programme of work had to adapt to the effects of the pandemic and has since been faced with growing weather challenges – including 14 Met Office classified storms between January 2021 and August 2023.

Since last August alone there have been an unprecedented total of ten storms affecting Cornwall.

The new Chybucca junction, with the print of the new A30 stretching into the horizon (Image: National Highways)

Nick Simmonds Screech, National Highways project director, said: “Following a recent review of the programme, we are now on schedule to open the new road to traffic in June, a matter of weeks after our Delivery Plan open-for traffic commitment.

“Given the effects of the pandemic and the delayed start to the construction programme, and against all the challenges thrown at us by recent weather events, we still look on this as an achievement.

“Getting the scheme off the ground during the pandemic was particularly challenging in terms of socially distanced working, virtual meetings and ensuring the safety of the workforce, and despite the weather impacts faced over the course of the scheme, we have made good progress to this point with our principal contractors Costain.

“Once the new dual carriageway’s open, and well before the start of summer school holidays, this will make a significant and positive difference to the journeys of both local communities and businesses, and to the wider travelling public.”

The objectives of the nine-mile A30 upgrade are fivefold: to improve safety, reduce congestion and improve journey reliability, improve local connectivity, protect and enhance the environment and promote economic growth within the county.

Mr Simmonds-Screech added: “We appreciate the work has had impacts on local communities but through the scheme and other initiatives, we’re aiming to create a lasting legacy for Cornwall.

“The A30 is a vital scheme for Cornwall and the wider South West and we have pushed ahead on this much-needed scheme, competing work so far with minimal disruption to the travelling public and local residents.

“Our work is now largely focused on the eastern section of the scheme around Carland Cross, with some overnight and weekend closures of the A30 programmed until the Open for Traffic date.

“Once the new road is open, the wider project will continue through the year, with ancillary, and finishing-up works, including local authority road refinements, landscaping, planting, Cornish hedging and other environmental and ecological work.”

Work will be focussed on the Carland Cross junction and the new A30 alignment, pictured here looking eastbound, in the coming weeks (Image: National Highways)

Rob Taylor, Costain project director for the A30, said: “The scale of the scheme has been a massive undertaking, not least because of the delayed start due to the pandemic and the unprecedented weather conditions.

“However, our team and supply chain have risen to the challenge and are on track to deliver a fantastic new dual carriageway that will unlock mobility in the region ahead of the summer holidays.

“The recent Chiverton flyover and Chybucca junction openings represented significant and visible milestones for the project, and we’re now progressing the new Carland junction and the ‘green bridge’ structure at Marazanvose."

Richard Williams-Pears, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, praised the dedication of those working on the site, saying: “Crews have worked incredibly hard in very difficult weather conditions to deliver the new dual carriageway and while I can appreciate that some may be frustrated at this news, the end is in sight for these long-awaited improvements.”

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.