A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross
Upgrading the A30 single carriageway between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross roundabouts. As part of our Strategic Road Network, the A30 is a road of strategic importance, which is why an £8m contribution from the European Regional Development Fund has been committed, as well as being identified as part of the Government’s Roads Investment Strategy.
Funding for this scheme includes a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund of £8 million towards its development costs, with a further £12 million allocated for the construction phase.
Project information
Visit our A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross feedback tool to have your say. The tool includes an interactive map, so you can pinpoint any comments you may have about our work, or just give us general feedback.
ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you'd like a response to your feedback, you can email the project team at A30ChivertontoCarlandCross@nationalhighways.co.uk
The Government’s Road Investment Strategy included a commitment to improve the A30 between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross roundabouts to dual carriageway standard. Funding for this scheme includes a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund of £8 million towards its development costs, with a further £12 million allocated for the construction phase.
What has happened so far?
On 6 February 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport gave the go ahead for the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme to be built by granting the Development Consent Order. We then awarded the contract to the Costain Jacobs partnership; and completed detailed construction planning as well as work involving environmental and archaeological surveys. We acquired the necessary permanent and temporary land parcels and set-up site.
In March 2020, construction works started. We worked round the issues created by Covid-19, breaking ground to build the road, construct the many underpasses and overbridges, attenuation ponds, Cornish hedge and other infrastructure.
We are constructing:
- 10 new underpasses and underbridges
- 3 new bridges over the new road
- Refurbishment of an existing structure
- Over 2.6 million cubic metres of earthworks
- 33 new culverts and wildlife crossings
- Nearly 29 miles of new highway drainage
- Over 12 miles of wildlife proof fencing
- New badger setts and bat roosts
- 8 miles of Cornish hedge
Improving the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross is incredibly important for Cornwall’s future. It's the only remaining stretch of single carriageway on the A30 between Camborne and the M5 at Exeter; journeys on this part of the road are regularly delayed, congestion often brings traffic to a standstill, and as a result the Cornish economy is being held back.
For local people, particularly during the summer season, the simple act of getting to a neighbouring village can lead to unacceptably long and unreliable journeys, while opportunistic rat runners pose increased risk of accidents in their villages.
You can view our fast facts document to find out more.
The key objectives of the scheme are to:
- Make the route between Chiverton and Carland Cross more reliable by reducing congestion, journey times and providing more space for the travelling public
- Unlock growth, contributing to regeneration and sustainable economic growth by supporting employment and residential development opportunities
- Connect communities and making journeys easier by separating the strategic road from local traffic on the old A30. We will provide new bridges to cross the new A30 and maintain a route for local traffic and non-motorised users
- Design the proposed scheme to modern, safe and efficient road standards, which are suitable for the new dual carriageway
- Protect the environment, minimising impacts and where possible delivering enhancements to the environment
- Minimise disruption during the construction of the new road
Employment, apprenticeships, education, skills a social value legacy
We want to be part of our local community and to play a full and active part. Our community relations team engage with local schools, colleges and other educational establishments. We also engage with local community groups and anyone who has an interest in the project should get in touch with us.
We are:
- providing support to learners and offering opportunities for them to experience the world of construction
- employing local people, offering upskilling and apprenticeship opportunities
- seeking local businesses, materials and suppliers to support the project
- working with local charities and fundraising for them
- looking for volunteering opportunities for us to help with
- giving presentations to showcase our work.
If you are a local business and would like to register an interest, you can contact our team by emailing a30supplierenq@costain.com
If you are looking for work opportunities, you can regularly check www.costain.com/careers/ for more information.
You can also email the community relations team dave.james@costain.com or get a message to them by calling the project helpline on 0845 600 2664.
What are we doing for young people?
We have a dedicated Education, Employment and Skills (EES) Coordinator on the scheme who works with local schools, colleges, universities and JobCentre Plus to discuss any opportunities we may be able to provide. We are currently working with 5 local schools delivering Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities linking in with the curriculum wherever possible.
If you're a parent or teacher interested in finding out more about the STEM project, please email the project team: A30ChivertontoCarlandCross@nationalhighways.co.uk
We have taken on a T-Qual placement from Truro & Penwith College, who comes to the project one day a week on placement.
A new outreach programme has been developed for schools and youth groups in the area that includes looking at the need and legacy of the scheme but also how National Highways uses STEM throughout its work.
Two local Colleges engaged with one being one of our main training providers. Plymouth & Exeter University are in initial discussions to host career webinars and visits for leavers wishing to progress on to post-graduateships.
What are we doing to protect the environment?
At National Highways, we are committed to making the environment a priority. The scheme continues to protect the environment minimising impact from construction activities and deliver enhancements.
Surveys have been undertaken of river water quality, heathland, grassland, hedgerows, fish, breeding birds, reptiles, barn owls, dormice, otters, badgers and nightjars.
Prior to the start of construction activities, to protect and preserve the rich heritage of the area, archaeological landscape surveys took place.
Over 29 miles of new drainage will be constructed to protect the local area and water courses. The scheme will construct ponds to store and control the flow of surface water, install 33 new culverts and wildlife crossings.
Over 12 miles of wildlife proof fencing is being constructed, including badger fencing directing badgers to specially designed wildlife crossings, which will complement the three new specifically designed badger setts and nine otter crossing tunnels. A new bat roost has been built to replace an existing stone barn.
Construction of eight miles of Cornish hedge, representing a net gain of nearly seven miles of stone built Cornish hedge.
Heathland that was in the footprint of the new road is being translocated to its new home at Carland Cross. The reptiles in the Heathland area are being translocated to the Newlyn Downs SSSI ahead of the heathland translocation. Hibernacula have been built in the SSSI to ensure that the habitat can support the additional population through the hibernation season.
Planting of species rich grassland and trees native to Cornwall will blend the new with the old.
There will also be:
- Nine crossing tunnels specifically for otters
- Otter ledges in two of the culverts
- 21 crossings designed to protect connectivity for bats
- No artificial lighting on the main route or at junctions, removing any light pollution from the new road
- The construction of earth barriers and sound-absorbing fencing at key locations to reduce noise impact of the new road
We spoke to Ali Thomas, Costain's Environmental Manager for the scheme, to tell us more about what she and her team are doing on site - you can watch the full video below.
Documents
You can find the latest updates about the new entry and exit for Trevissome Park here.
Public engagement report
Public engagement report: appendix A
Public engagement report: appendix B
Public engagement report: appendix C
Public engagement report: appendix D
Public engagement report: appendix E
Public engagement report: appendix F
Public engagement report: appendix G
Public engagement report: appendix G
Public engagement report: appendix G
Public engagement report: appendix H
Public engagement report: appendix I
Public engagement report: appendix I
Public engagement report: appendix I
Public engagement report: appendix I
Public engagement report: appendix I
Public engagement report: appendix I
Public engagement report: appendix J
Public engagement report: appendix K
Public engagement report: appendix L
Public engagement report: appendix M
Public engagement report: drawings
Public engagement report: drawings
Public engagement report: drawings
Public engagement report: drawings
The DCO process was established by the Planning Act 2008 and is used for certain large and complex schemes (including highway improvements) that have been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) by the Government.
The benefits of the DCO process include extensive pre-application consultation, detailed analysis, including a full Environmental Impact Assessment, and examination by an independent inspector before the final decision is made.
The Secretary of State for Transport granted development consent for the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross Development Consent Order (DCO) on 06 February 2020. Links to key DCO documentation can be found below:
- Examining Authority’s report and recommendations to the Secretary of State for Transport
- Secretary of State for Transport’s decision letter and statement of reasons
- DCO as made by the Secretary of State for Transport
The made DCO is Statutory Instrument 2020 No. 121 and is available to view at legislation.gov.uk.
Development Consent Order – Requirements Register
Requirements are conditions that have been included in the DCO, which control how the project must be implemented (constructed and maintained). Implementing the DCO in accordance with these conditions involves completing consultation and approval processes that have been defined in the DCO. These processes are referred to here and in the DCO as “discharging” the requirements.
This Requirements Register is a live document and will be updated as the process to discharge the requirements progresses.
The latest version will always be published below:
View the Requirements Register.
This register will be maintained for three years following completion of the project. The register sets out:
- each requirement
- whether the requirement needs approval by the Secretary of State (or other duty holder)
- whether any approval has been applied for or given
Related Road projects

Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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