Two weeks of closures as National Highways prepares to open new stretch of A30

Drivers are being warned of two weeks of closures coming up as National Highways prepares to open a new dualled stretch of the A30 in Cornwall.

There will be daily disruption over the next ten days, as works finish the last of the work needed to finally open the new road between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross.

The multi-million pound project is currently around three months behind its original schedule.

The run of closures begins this evening (Friday, June 14) with a full closure through the weekend of the road between Chiverton and Summercourt.

From 8pm tonight until 6am on Monday (June 17) diversions will be in place, to allow for surfacing and infrastructure work along the route.

This was due to take place last weekend, but was removed because of the expected impact on travel to and from the Royal Cornwall Show.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “These closures are now focused on surfacing and infrastructure work along the route as we prepare to open the new dual carriageway.

"During our closures, National Highways is urging users to plan ahead, follow the diversion routes and signage in place and not sat navs and allow more time for their journey.”

This weekend will be followed by four days of overnight closures, again between Chiverton and Summercourt, from 8pm to 6am next Monday to Thursday (June 17 to 20) and then another full closure of that stretch between 8pm next Friday (June 21) and the following Monday (June 24).

Drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information on local radio, the @HighwaysSWEST X (Twitter) feed, by phoning the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the website: www.trafficengland.com

A map showing this weekend's closure and diversion route (Image: National Highways)

In February it was confirmed by National Highways that the much-anticipated opening of the new section had been delayed by three months – with bad weather given as the cause.

The road had been expected to open at the end of March, but in February at new predicted opening month of June was given.

Now that June has arrived, no firm date has yet been given as to when the road will open.

However, National Highways previously said it expected the road to still be open in time for the summer school holidays.

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

Cornwall then went on to experience multiple weather warnings, with ten storms hitting the Duchy between last August and February this year.

The full £330 million upgrade project includes:

• a 70mph 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 £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.