Department for Transport Minister Andrew Jones visited the A30 Temple to Higher Carblake dualling scheme on Wednesday where he met with local MP Scott Mann, local Councillor Chris Batters, Cllr Bert Biscoe, Nigel Blackler (Head of transport at Cornwall Council) and representatives from Kier Group, who held a roundtable discussion about the project before being taken on a tour of the site to see how the development was taking shape.
During the discussion, the Minister was given a detailed update on construction progress as well as information on traffic flow and visitor numbers. Much work so far has involved the diversion of underground services to accommodate the new road.
Peter Heron, Kier’s Public Liaison Manager, revealed that the queues experienced during peak times from summer holiday traffic were actually down compared to last year.
He said: “The works are actually not causing queueing any greater than is normally experienced on the approaches to this pinch point. In fact, the first weekend of the school holidays saw the length of queues slightly less than normal, in spite of a suspected increase in traffic.”
A meeting on Thursday with the A30 Temple Key Liaison Group heard that bookings in the county were indeed up on last year.
Mr Heron added: “The traffic management measures of longer lane merging and a 40mph speed limit have smoothed out the stop-start scenario which was typically seen during high traffic volumes.”
Kier was also able to tell the Minister that they expect to have 4 lanes of traffic (2 in each direction) open during summer 2016, with flyovers for new junctions in place by March 2016.
Scott Mann MP said: “It’s amazing how quickly the work has progressed on this new dual carriageway. Every time I return to Cornwall I see a significant difference.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the site and show him how quickly the development is taking shape.
“I was also thrilled to learn that traffic will be able to use the new carriageways next summer, which means we will see a huge difference in traffic flow in just the space of a year.”
Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “Transport is key to the south west’s prosperity. That’s why, as part of our long-term economic plan, we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation. I’m proud that this project, together with other major investments announced last December, means there will be a continuous dual carriageway running all the way from Redruth to London.
“The £60m government funded scheme to upgrade the A30 between Temple and Higher Carblake is an important part of this investment and will significantly benefit road users, local residents and businesses in the region. Work on this pinch point is long overdue. I was pleased to have been able to see how the work is progressing.”