Cornwall businesses wanted for roads plan
HIGHWAYS England is urging companies in and around Cornwall to play a part in the multi-million pound upgrade of the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross.
The improvement scheme will not only dual an 8.7-mile section of single carriageway, alleviating the impact on local communities and helping to improve journey times and increase safety by unlocking one of Cornwall’s last major bottlenecks, but will also help to unlock economic growth in the county.
Costain, Highways England’s contractors, have been busy with the diversion of utilities, vegetation clearance and ground investigation work, and with the main construction phase of the scheme due to start this year, local businesses are being urged to get involved.
As construction activities increase in the area, so will job opportunities, both directly with the contractors and through the supply chain. The types of services and people required will include plant, fencing, track matting, catering, cleaning, accommodation and hospitality.
The £330 million upgrade includes: a 70mph high-quality dual carriagewaya two-level junction at Chiverton Cross and a new roundabout to ensure the free flow of traffic on the A30a 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 accessa twolevel 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.
Through its procurement process, Costain, which is responsible for England’s major A roads and motorways, appoints main contractors who in turn require their own supply chain, which provides opportunities for sub-contractors and subconsultants to bid for work and become part of the extended supply chain.
Josh Hodder, Highways England’s senior project manager for the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme, said: “2021 is going to be a big year for the A30 project and we’re urging people and businesses within the local community to get involved. We are keen to offer job opportunities to local people, ensuring that we are fully inclusive of the diverse communities of Cornwall.
“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 are regularly delayed, congestion often brings traffic to a standstill, and as a result the Cornish economy is being held back.”