Photo credit - Costain
Completion of the St Agnes to Truro Saints Trail route has taken a step forward with the installation of a new traffic-free bridge over the A30 at Chiverton.
The 48-metre structure will enable walkers, cyclists and horse riders to cross the busy dual carriageway and is expected to open towards the end of January.
Reflecting the colours of the Cornish Mining World Heritage emblem and featuring the outline of two engine houses, the steel frame bridge was lifted into place overnight.
Richard Williams-Pears, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said:
“This bridge aims to support residents to make more sustainable journeys between the communities either side of Chiverton, and for those wanting to travel further afield.
“Work on the remaining sections of the St Agnes to Truro Saints Trail are progressing well and I hope the completion of the trail, together with the construction of the Northern Access Road, will encourage more people to make greener and healthier choices about how they travel.”
Cornwall Council has worked with Costain to deliver the project.
Photo credit - Costain
Andy Clarke, Director for Integrated Transport at Costain, said:
“This is an exciting milestone for the Chiverton Bridge project. Not only does the bridge look fantastic, paying tribute to Cornwall’s mining heritage, but once open, it will be a gamechanger for active travel. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders will all be able to enjoy the benefits of this latest stretch of the Saints Trail, something which the local community enthusiastically campaigned for.
“Crucially, the new bridge addresses previous safety concerns and improves local access to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.”
The St Agnes to Threemilestone Saints Trail link is part-funded (£5.15m) by the European Regional Development Fund.
Cornwall Council is investing £2m into the Saints Trails with most of the funding (£11.9m) for the project coming from National Highways as part of its programme to provide environmental, social and economic benefits to the people, communities and businesses who live and work alongside the strategic road network.
Nick Aldworth, South West Regional Delivery Director for National Highways, said:
“We have been working closely with Cornwall Council to deliver this ambitious initiative, and we're delighted to see the successful installation of the multi-use bridge across the A30, as part of the wider Saints Trails project.
"We’re committed to improving cycle efficiency and safety across our road network, and our designated funding is enabling the Council to deliver a network of routes for non-motorised users close to the A30.
“The opening of the cycle/footbridge in the new year will mark a major milestone for the initiative, and we’re pleased to see progress being made on a project which will improve the lives of communities living close to and surrounding the A30.”
