A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross - scheme newsletter: Christmas 2023

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Christmas newsletter 2023

Part of the Chiverton flyover opened to traffic on Friday 15 December 2023

Welcome to our Christmas 2023 newsletter. We are now in the final stage of the project – huge progress has been made in 2023 and we are now preparing for the opening of the new A30 in 2024.

Last week we partially opened the Chiverton flyover - a major milestone for the project. This has alleviated congestion as we now have one lane of east-west traffic in either direction bypassing the interchange without queuing. Local journeys north and south are also improved as drivers will no longer have to interact with the A30 mainline traffic.

With the main tourist season finished, we are making the most of the lighter traffic to progress our work as much as possible, including road surfacing, side roads, structures and other key elements of the new dual carriageway. We are continuing to manage our construction work to minimise disruption to traffic but please bear with us as we make this final push over the winter.

In addition to the Chiverton flyover opening, the last few months has involved piecing together the various sections of the new A30 dual carriageway, including:

major earthworks and realignment at Carland Cross to prepare for the link to the existing dual carriageway
traffic switches all along the route including at Marazanvose, allowing us to continue work on the green bridge
demolition of the old Tolgroggan bridge in September
reopening the link to the B3284 north at Chybucca and the new layout of the B3284 south
installation of the new Chiverton footbridge for Cornwall Council

We appreciate that roadworks cause disruption, but we are committed to minimising this as much as possible and despite some very unfavourable weather, the team are working round the clock to complete the scheme as soon as we can.

Please continue to visit our website for updates on these closures and layout changes. We’ll also keep you informed via Twitter and Facebook @HighwaysSWEST and advance roadside warning signs.

On behalf of the A30 project team, we would like to thank you for your continued patience and wish you a happy, healthy and safe Christmas break. For those that are working through the holidays, including NHS staff, the emergency services and those in our own team – a very big thank you.

The last few months have been very productive, making the most of the summer and autumn weather during the breaks in the rain. This has helped us to achieve key milestones including:

Completion of the new westbound lanes at the Chiverton end of the project with the A30 traffic running in contraflow.
Partial opening of the Chiverton flyover - which has alleviated congestion with one lane of east-west traffic in either direction bypassing the interchange without queuing.
The resurfacing of the detrunked old A30 and new entry road providing access to Trevissome Park off the new Chiverton Roundabout has opened.
The resurfacing and completion of the northern section of the B3284 road between the A30 and the A3075 was reopened at Chybucca providing a north / south link.
The existing Tolgroggan bridge, which crossed the A30 was demolished successfully over a full weekend closure of the A30 in September. The bridge was removed to make room for the new dual carriageway. The existing bridge has been replaced by a new bridge that spans the new dual carriageway and the old detrunked A30 to be the B3288.
A traffic switch at Trevalso allowed us to move traffic to the southern side of the new Trevalso underbridge so work on the northern half could begin. Recently, two large cranes have been in place and were used to install precast concrete arches.
Earthworks have continued throughout the summer and autumn, with the work focussed on transporting rock that has been excavated elsewhere on the scheme and reused to build the embankment at Carland. These works have mainly been undertaken at night to minimise the disruption to the travelling public.
The construction of the new westbound lanes at the eastern end of the project has started, with the traffic now in contraflow on the existing westbound lanes.
Scheme wide drainage and surfacing works have progressed well with over half of the project having road pavement in place.

Upcoming road closures

Overnight closures of the A30 between Scorrier and Boxheater - 8 to 12 January
Full weekend closure of the A30 between Scorrier and Boxheater - 12 to 15 January
Overnight closures of the A30 between Scorrier and Boxheater - 22 to 26 January
Full weekend closure of the A30 between Scorrier and Boxheater - 26 to 29 January

These closures are subject to change, and we will send full details in due course once confirmed.

The new Chiverton Interchange looking west showing the new dual carriageway under construction.

Chybucca Interchange looking east showing the new dual carriageway under construction with the overbridge carrying the B3284 north to south.

The new Chybucca junction showing the overbridge carrying the B3284 north to south..

The new A30 alignment looking west with the current A30 on the right side of the image.

The new A30 alignment looking west with part of the Marazanvose Green Bridge built over the new dual carriageway. The existing A30 will be re-named the B3288 and will provide connectivity for local communities to the north and south of the new dual carriageway.

The new Tolgroggan overbridge looking west. The bridge straddles both the new and old A30 together side by side. Beyond the bridge on the left of the image you will see the line of the new road where a large earthworks operation has taken place. The material from this location has been removed via a haul road and has been used at Carland Cross to create the new junction.

Trevalso underbridge looking west. A traffic switch in July allowed us to move traffic to the southern side of the bridge that made the northern side accessible to start construction. Zelah village and Henver Lane can be seen on the right of the image.

Pennycomequick looking east.

The A30 looking west showing the new dual carriageway under construction. The old A30 on the right of the image will be renamed the B3288. To the north of the new A30 road is where we have translocated part of Cornwall’s precious heathland habitat to help preserve it for future generations.

Carland Cross interchange where the new A30 will travel over the new underpass bridge to the left of the roundabout. The new roundabout on the right will provide access for the new A30 on and off slips, the future B3288 and the wind farm.

Installation of Chiverton Footbridge

On the evening of 5 December Cornwall Council’s new pedestrian, cycling and horseriding bridge was installed at Chiverton to link up the Saints Trails project. Costain, the lead contractor for the A30, has delivered this on behalf of the council in co-ordination with the A30 work.

Demolition of Tolgroggan bridge

During a weekend road closure in September we demolished a 32-year-old accommodation bridge at Tolgroggan. The team installed protective pile mats and platforms across the road surface and around the new bridge next to the old one before attacking the 164-foot structure's spans, parapets and steelwork.

The work which started at 9am on the Saturday morning was completed at midday on Sunday, as the debris was removed and banking replaced before the road reopened. The A30 was closed between Scorrier and Boxheater from 8pm on Friday, September 15, and the road reopened to traffic just before 2am on Monday morning.

Time-lapse video shows A30 bridge demolition over weekend closure.
It was done and dusted in less than 36 hours.

Our support to Baby Loss Awareness Week

The Costain team on the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross project were honoured to show their support for Baby Loss Awareness Week (#BLAW). The Tolgroggan Bridge was illuminated from 13 - 15 October in pink and blue to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.

Baby Loss Awareness Week is recognised across the world and culminated with the “Wave of Light” on 15 October. This is a special time when people across the world light a candle at 7pm local time.

To find out more or for support, please visit here

My name is Jordan, I joined National Highways in October 2018 and have worked on the A30 project as an Assistant Project Manager since September 2022.

As a West Country lad, Cornwall is by far my favourite county, therefore to play my small part in improving the infrastructure is very interesting and fulfilling. The A30 project has been a great challenge for me so far, with a wide scope of works over the 8.7-mile route, delivering what will be a major improvement to this part of the Strategic Road Network. I have never worked on a project as well integrated, with a big ‘one team’ effort approach which will eventually help us reach our long term goal of opening a new dual-carriageway next year.

In my spare time, I travel to lots of Liverpool FC matches, am keen on rock music and try to keep myself fit going to the gym and running. The best thing to happen whilst down in Cornwall is making the most of my free time outside of work, where I have “perfected” my paddle boarding skills, met new friends and increased my general knowledge after all of those Tuesday evening quiz nights in Falmouth!

Over the Summer, I took part in a skydive in aid of Cornwall Air Ambulance on behalf of the A30 team. It was great to do my bit towards raising over £10k for the schemes main charity, who do such an integral service for the area.

Overall, my life has changed for the better since being here and I will look back on my experience working on the A30 with many fond memories. I will eventually come away with a wealth of practical experience and knowledge that will help as I progress through my career. I look forward to seeing what comes next!

Increasing tree planting

National Highways are taking the innovative approach of buying and growing their own stocks of native trees. It's part of their commitment to plant an additional three million trees by 2030.

Help National Highways plant 3 million trees by 2030
National Highways want to engage with organisations and landowners who can help them plant an additional 3 million trees. National Highways only have enough room for less than 10% on their estate. That's why they will be donating up to 600,000 whips on an annual basis. They will have a supply of UK native trees from a variety of species.

Read more information and criteria for successful submissions.
To apply, please complete the tree planting questionnaire and submit for review.

National Highways be taking applications continuously through to the last planting season in 2028 to 2029. They will try to respond to all applicants within 6 weeks.

National Highways have awarded nearly £3 million to a West Sussex nursery Greenwood Plants to secure their future pipeline of young trees. Greenwood Plants, near Arundel, is one of the UK’s largest growers for the commercial sector. Starting in Autumn 2024, it will help grow millions of native trees from seed over a five-year period.

Native species, including Holly, Scots Pine, Oak, Rowan and Beech, will be grown peat-free at West Sussex and Cheshire nurseries. They have chosen trees that will provide seasonal interest through the year and blend well with surrounding natural environments.

Most trees will be supplied as two year old seedlings with exposed roots (no soil attached). These 'bareroot seedlings are easier to transport and quicker to plant and establish.

More info can be seen here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/environment/increasing-tree-planting-across-our-network/

From left to right, Melanie Asker, Managing Director, Greenwood Plants, National Highways' Malcolm Dare (Executive Director Commercial and Procurement), Steve Elderkin (Director, Environmental Sustainability), Greig Burt, Commercial and Procurement

We want you to have a safe T.R.I.P. this winter

Planning for driving in winter is essential to ensure your safety and the safety of other road users. Winter driving can be challenging due to slippery road conditions, reduced visibility, and extreme cold. Being prepared can help you have a safe TRIP this winter.

Preparing for your trip

Make sure you get a good night's sleep before your trip
Avoid alcohol the day before as this can disrupt sleep and affect your driving the following day
Know what medications you're on and how they affect you. Avoid driving between midnight and 6am when you’re likely to feel most tired

T.R.I.P. Top-up, Rest, Inspect, Prepare

Be extra cautious and anticipate the actions of other drivers, as not everyone may be as prepared for winter driving.

Below are some safety tips to help you prepare for your journey and plan this winter:

T - Top up: Fill up fuel, check your oil and screen-wash, ensure you're charged
R - Rest: Take a break every 2 hours
I - Inspect: your tyres and check your lights are clean and working
P - Prepare: Be prepared for winter weather - conditions can vary considerably and sometimes change at short notice