A30 Designated Funds
We’re using part of the Designated Funds to support projects close to the A30 in Cornwall
Over the past few years, we’ve been developing several projects along the A30 in Cornwall which look to use designated funding to improve the surroundings of our network. This work includes looking at improvements to the safety and integration of communities through several cycling projects.
We’ve also been exploring how we can enhance the visual landscape, support cultural heritage and improve the biodiversity of the surrounding area.
Environment
We’ve carried out the design work and some construction for an environmental work programme along the A30 in Cornwall called ‘Keyn Glas’. As part of this programme, we worked closely with local stakeholders to identify opportunities to protect and enhance the landscape, water, soil, air, biodiversity, and the historic environment.
The main aspects we've taken forward at this time are the creation of our 'green ribs'.
Green ribs
As part of our landscape projects, we’ve created some ‘green ribs’ which extend out from the A30. These aim to connect core habitat areas and achieve continuous landscape corridors.
This work included:
- tree works (woodland creation, orchard creation and restoration, and veteran tree management)
- planting of species rich grassland and wet meadow
- restoring ponds and wet habitat
- hedging (creation and restoration of Cornish hedge, thorny hedge planting, and hedgerow enhancement)
Landscape of Ancestors Project – Allet Bog
In Roads Period 1 we created three green ribs at the following locations:
- Ladock to Gwills
- Benny Mill to Boswiddle
- Benhaven to Lambourne Mill
We are pleased to have received additional funding to further progress the green ribs. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust will restore and recreate 16.8 hectares of woodland, orchard, grassland and heathland around Ladock to Gwills and Benhaven to Lambourne Mill.
We’re also working in partnership with the Environment Agency who have provided co-funding on the green ribs projects, which will help to tackle biodiversity within the county by:
- creating and enhancing habitat areas for wildlife
- improving the quality, condition and connectivity of landscape features in Cornwall
- mitigating severance impacts of the A30 by creating stronger habitat connections, safely channelling wildlife away from the road.
Cycling, safety and integration (CSI)
We have worked closely with Cornwall Council to build new dedicated lanes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, safely connecting people to where they want to go. The trails provides approximately 13km of off-road and on-road trails which are helping to address congestion and air quality issues, whilst also encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.
The cycle network is split into the following routes:
- Perranporth to Goonhavern : the reinstatement of a dismantled railway line as a multi-use trail for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. The route starts in Perranporth and continues through to Cocks Village to Goonhavern. The Goonhavern to Cocks Village section of this route has now been completed and opened on 30 November. Cornwall Council are still working on the Perranporth to Cocks Village section but hope to open it next year.
Completed cycle path at Goonhavern
- St Agnes – Chiverton: making use of existing quiet lanes with enhanced safety features. This National Highways funded section of the Saints Trails cycle network opened in March 2023
Completed section of the St Agnes to Chiverton trail
- Chiverton – Threemilestone: Cornwall Council are continuing work on this section of the route which includes a new bridge for cyclists, walkers and horse riders over the A30 at Chiverton Cross. This section of the project is funded by EU money and is due to open by the end of 2023. For more information, visit the Cornwall Council webpage.
