Driver blasts 'atrocious' signs on Cornwall's new A30

A motorist says the new stretch of A30 is a "massive improvement" but one specific part of it is letting it down. He says the problem needs to be "urgently addressed".

Shaun Skinner, 69, of St Newlyn East, has called signs on the Carland Cross part of the dual carriageway upgrade "appalling" and "atrocious". The former parish and district councillor says temporary road signs are making it extremely difficult for motorists to reach their destination.

It especially impacts those travelling to Perranporth, Zelah and St Newlyn East. He said: "The newly constructed and opened stretch of the A30 between Carland Cross to Chiverton is a massive improvement toward the A30 layout, however, there is a considerable problem regarding the new road signage, particularly at the new Carland Cross layout which needs to be urgently addressed."

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He described being particularly concerned about the "appalling" signs in the area saying he's already raised the issue with National Highways, Cornwall Council, his local Cornwall Councillor and various local parish councils. He says the signs are confusing and can send people looking for Perranporth, Zelah or St Newlyn East in the wrong direction.

"When travelling Westbound on the newly constructed A30 road layout from Bodmin and Summercourt, in order to travel to Perranporth, Zelah and St Newlyn East, motorists use the new Westbound slip road with a new road sign that reads Truro and Perranporth," he explains.

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"However, when coming off the Westbound slip road one arrives at a new junction where there are currently three road signs, the first reads Truro A39 Trispen (turn left), the second junction reads Redruth A30 (turn left), and a third sign that reads Bodmin A30, there is no clear signage or indication for Perranporth."

He feels the major issue is a lack of a new road sign informing people and directing them to the area. He said: "Motorists need to be aware in advance of both the direction and appropriate junction to use.

"A considerable number of local residents and visitors travelling to St Newlyn East have experienced difficulty in reaching it from the newly constructed Carland Cross A30 given the fact there is no suitable and clear road signage. In fact, motorists have been taking the new sliproad Westbound for Redruth A30 in the hope of finding their way to St Newlyn East."

Another disgruntled motorist says there are similar problems at the Chiverton part of the A30 upgrade. He said: "When you're on the roundabout it tells you you can't go to the services or St Agnes but to follow the black diamond sign for diversions. You have to go around again and the black diamond is in front of the other sign saying follow the black diamond..

"But the black diamond takes you back on the A30 Westbound to Scorrier where you have to go on the Blackwater road to the services and the St Agnes road. Also when travelling Eastbound, there are big new signs saying for services and St Agnes to get off at Chiverton. But the tiny yellow sign says follow the black diamond but does not tell you that you can't go to St Agnes."

Neil Winter, senior project manager, said: “As part of our regular review of signing on and around the new section of the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross, we are making some changes to the signs at different locations and junctions based on helpful feedback from stakeholders and road users.

“The road opened on 24 June and several of the signs in place are temporary while we complete work on local side roads. In particular we are putting in new temporary signs at Carland Cross to clarify directions to Perranporth while we await installation of the permanent signing at this location.

“All of the permanent signs for local destinations have been agreed with Cornwall Council and we continue to consult them on the design and information on these.”