Major resurfacing work to improve road safety is taking place on the A391 in St Austell next month.
Diversions will be set up while the North East Distributor road is shut from May 6 to 30 for the essential works to be carried out.
The closure will operate everyday throughout the day and night but there will be access across Bethel, Boscoppa and Carclaze roundabouts from May 6 to 14 from 7am to 7pm.
There will also be access from the Scredda roundabout to the industrial estate throughout the A391 closure.
Signs will be placed at major junctions on key routes to divert non-through traffic. Variable message signs (VMS) will be installed on the A30 and the A390 at key locations to warn drivers of the A391 closure.
Bus companies and the emergency services have been informed and will make alternative arrangements as needed.
Information regarding bus service disruptions will be added to the Cornwall Council website.
To ease traffic flow during the A391 closure a clearway zone will be in force on Treverbyn Road, Slades Road, Tregonissey Road and Truro Road from May 6 onwards.
This means parking will not be permitted from Monday to Friday during the following hours:
• 7:30am and 9:30am
• 2:30pm to 6pm
Households and businesses affected by these clearway zones will be sent more information later this month.
There will also be signs up to inform drivers of the parking restrictions associated with the clearway zones.
Other measures to ease traffic flow including additional clearway zones may be added if needed.
Bryan Skinner, Cornwall Council’s Head of Transport and Environment, said:
“We need to resurface the A391 to improve road safety and address its deteriorating condition. By investing in these essential improvements now, we will also reduce maintenance costs and disruption in the future.
“Given the importance of the A391, we know the project will disrupt local traffic and we have developed diversion plans prioritising safety and efficiency while ensuring they are the least disruptive possible. This is to ensure we finish this important project efficiently and we will be working extended hours to complete the work as soon as possible.”
The resurfacing work is part of Live Labs 2, a highway maintenance and improvement initiative partly funded by the Department for Transport.
Under the scheme Cornwall Council secured funding to test new materials and methods for reducing carbon emissions in highway maintenance operations.
Two resurfacing elements which will prolong the life of the A391 and reduce future maintenance are:
- Using a surfacing material called Milepave™, a grouted macadam which reduces carbon emissions due to its lower stone content and offers greater longevity when compared with than conventional asphalt.
- Using a heavy-duty surface course product called Hardipave™ on the roundabouts, which are prone to accelerated wear.
Alongside the resurfacing work safety improvements will include installing solar road studs and adjusting the kerb alignment on roundabout approaches, high specification white lining throughout and enhancing the chevron blockwork and signage.
The work may generate a moderate level of noise and to minimise disruption the noisiest operations will be carried out during the day.
Live Labs 2 is a three-year, £30 million, UK-wide programme funded by the Department for Transport that will run until March 2026, with a five-year subsequent, extended monitoring and evaluation period. Seven projects, grouped by four interconnected themes, are being led by local authorities working alongside commercial and academic partners.
For more information, please visit https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/livelabs2projects. Cornwall Council is a member of the Wessex Partnership.
For questions about the works please email: surfacing@cormacltd.co.uk
Story posted April 4, 2025