A new road linking St Austell to the A30, taking heavy traffic away from clay country communities and supporting employment, housing and regeneration in the area, is now open.
The 3.9-mile single carriageway road, with new junctions to provide local access, connects the A391 at Singlerose Roundabout in Stenalees with the A30 at Victoria.
A ‘green’ corridor of wildflowers, heathland, trees and shrubs to support wildlife habitats has been planted along the route and will begin to bloom next spring. The project will also bring five and a half miles of new off-road paths and routes for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Now the road has opened to traffic, work will continue over the next few months to complete the project, including the off-road paths and landscaping. A temporary speed limit of 30mph will be in place in sections along the route while highway teams carry out this work.
With thousands of vehicles traveling along the A391 through Bugle and Stenalees each day, as well as on other routes through Roche, Cornwall Council has long supported clay country communities in their calls for an alternative route between St Austell and the A30.
Cornwall Council leader, Councillor Leigh Frost, said:
“I want to thank local residents for their patience over the last two years as our contractors have worked hard to deliver this project .
“This new, direct route will not only alleviate congestion, but with transport accessibility being a key factor for businesses in terms of where they invest, it will also provide a catalyst for economic growth.
“It’s also about improving health and wellbeing – the walking and cycling paths will open up new areas of clay country for people to enjoy and these safe, off-road links will give residents the option to make local journeys without having to drive. And the wildflower corridor supports biodiversity by featuring species native to this area.”
The project has been funded by the Department for Transport and Cornwall Council.
Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood said:
“This is a huge boost for communities across Cornwall, improving everyday journeys and will unlock economic opportunities.
“Backed by government support, it will not only ease congestion and support local businesses, it will also improve access to opportunity, supporting the delivery of our Plan for Change.”
For several years the National Wildflower Centre at Eden has worked behind the scenes with local volunteers to gather, clean, sow, grow, and harvest enough wildflower seed to plant along the route with wildflower species chosen to reflect the local flora of Cornwall.
Dan James, development director at the Eden Project, said:
“Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre is proud to have helped create an amazing wildflower corridor along the new link road – a vibrant, living landscape that boosts biodiversity and supports Cornwall’s Biodiversity Net Gain goals. It’s a shining example of how infrastructure and nature recovery can go hand in hand.”
The project has been led by Alun Griffiths Contractors, on behalf of the council.
Tim James, managing director for Alun Griffiths Contractors, said:
“We’re proud to have delivered this important new link road for Cornwall Council and the local community. This has been a significant project over the past three years, and we’re grateful for the patience and support of local residents throughout.
“The new road isn’t just about easing congestion—it’s about long-term improvements for the region. It will support local jobs and businesses, make it easier for people to get around, and improve safety in nearby villages by diverting heavy traffic away from residential areas. We hope it brings lasting benefits for everyone who lives, works, and travels through this part of Cornwall.”
Here's a short film about the project recorded in early May as crews worked on the road:
Story posted 22 May, 2025