The St Austell to A30 link road will connect the old A30 near Victoria to the north and the A391 at Stenalees roundabout to the south. It will be a new 3.9 mile single carriageway road. It is a vital link to bring opportunities to the area including:
- improving economic growth by upgrading links to St Austell from the rest of the United Kingdom
- making it easier to get to Cornwall’s growing employment sites.
The £87m road has provisional funding from the Government and funding from Cornwall Council.
Complementary traffic management measures in surrounding villages and roads will be built once the link road is open. These may include:
- HGV restrictions
- widening footways, and
- traffic calming to prevent through traffic
- Autumn 2021 – anticipated completion of statutory processes required for the new route.
- Autumn 2021 - works commence with archaeological investigations and vegetation clearance.
- Winter 2021 – anticipated funding announcement from the Department for Transport.
- Autumn 2024 – new road open to traffic.
- Autumn 2025 – all complementary measures in surrounding villages and on other routes complete.
December 2021 Update
The Secretary of State for Transport confirmed with modifications the Cornwall Council (St Austell to A30 Link Road) Compulsory Purchase Order 2020 and the Cornwall Council (St Austell to A30 Link Road) (Classified Road) (Side Roads) Order 2020.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued a certificate. This is an exercise of their powers under 19(1)(a) of, and paragraph 6(1)(a) of schedule 3, to the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.
Copies of the confirmed Orders are available to download. These are found in the CPO/SRO information section below.
Next key steps
A decision from the Department for Transport to fund the scheme is expected in Spring 2022.
The land required for the route, can then be bought, when funding is in place.
The main earthworks will likely start in Spring 2022.
Previous Updates
November 2021 Update
All documents are with the Department of Transport for review.
The Council was successful in getting some advance funding ahead of the full funding. Work can thus start on the archaeological investigations along the route. This will happen towards the end of November, as required by our planning consent.
Some vegetation clearance will also take place during the winter months. This will be ahead of the bird nesting season next Spring.
September 2021 Update
The common land consultation was held in July/August and no objections were received. The objections to the Compulsory Purchase Order have now all been withdrawn. The planned Public Inquiry to hear the objections has been cancelled as it is no longer required.
We are speaking with government about the next steps. This includes confirming the statutory orders followed by confirmation of funding. As soon as the funding is confirmed the main works can start on site.
The council is working with the Department of Transport to complete the remaining steps.
When we are notified that funding is in place, we will be issuing more information. This will give the local community details about the construction activity.
June 2021
The Statutory consultations for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Road Order (SRO) are needed. This is to build the new link road were held in late 2020. Some objections were received to both orders. The objections to the SRO have now been removed. The Council’s legal team will continue to work with the legal teams of the CPO objectors. It is hoped this will resolve the objections so things can progress. If the objections are not removed a Public Inquiry will need to be held to discuss and make decisions on them. This is most likely to be held in September 2021.
The Final Business Case was submitted to the Department for Transport in Autumn 2020.
A site office has been established north of Roche. Alun Griffiths (Contractors) will start to operate from this location as COVID-19 restrictions allow. In time, this will become the main site offices for the team.
1. Orders and Supporting Documents
- The Cornwall Council (St Austell to A30 link road) Compulsory Purchase Order (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3)
- CPO 2020 Key Plan
- CPO 2020 Sheet 1
- CPO 2020 Sheet 2
- CPO 2020 Sheet 3
- CPO 2020 Sheet 4
- CPO 2020 Sheet 5
- CPO 2020 Sheet 6
- Cabinet decision for CPO
- The Compulsory Purchase (and Side Roads) Order Statement of Reasons
- Statement of Reasons - Annexure 1
- St Austell to A30 Link Road CPO Side Roads Order - Report
- St Austell to A30 Link Road CPO Side Road Order - Signed Decision Sheet
- Specimen CPO Site Notice
- Specimen CPO Notice to Qualified Persons
- Side Roads Order 2020 Notice
- The Cornwall Council (St Austell to A30 Link Road) (Classified Road) (Side Roads) Order 2020 With Plans
- Letter dated 17 June 2021 awarding Section 31 Grant for Financial Year 2021/22 – St Austell to A30 Link – Development Costs and signed on 18 June 2021
- Grant Determination for the Local Authority Major Project Grant No: 31/5617
- Notice of Intention to Issue a Certificate under Section 19
- Statement of Case
- Notice of Public Local Inquiries
- SRO Confirmation Notice
- CPO Confirmation Notice
- CPO Certificate
- Confirmed CPO Part One
- Confirmed CPO Part Two
- Confirmed CPO Part Three
- Confirmed CPO Part Four
- Confirmed SRO Part One
- Confirmed SRO Part Two
- Confirmed SRO Part Three
- Confirmed SRO Part Four
- Confirmed SRO Part Five
- Confirmed SRO Part Six
- Confirmed SRO Part Seven
Press Notices:
- Cornish Guardian (CPO) 30.09.2020
- Cornish Guardian (SRO) 30.09.2020
- London Gazette 30.09.2020
- Cornish Guardian (CPO) 07.10.2020
- Cornish Guardian (CPO) 14.10.2020
- Cornish Guardian (SRO) 14.10.2020
- London Gazette 14.10.2020
- Cornish Guardian (Notice) 28.10.2020
- Cornish Guardian (Notice) 04.11.2020
- Cornish Guardian (Notice) 14.07.2021
- Cornish Guardian (Notice) 21.07.2021
Letters and additional documents:
- Letter dated 17 June 2021 requesting modifications to the CPO
- Letter dated 6 July 2021 requesting modifications to the CPO
- The section 19 Acquisition of Land Act 1981 Application
- The Common Land Report
- The Common Land Report Addendum
Figures referred to in the Statement of Case:
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 16
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 2
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 3
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 4
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 5
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 6
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 7
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 8
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 9
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 10
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 11
- General Arrangement Drawing Sheet 12
- Non-Material Amendment Plan 1
- Non-Material Amendment Plan 2
- Mid Cornwall Moors SSSI Boundaries
Witness Statements:
- Summary proof of evidence of Mr Colin Cottage
- Proof of evidence of Mr Colin Cottage (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6)
- Summary proof of evidence of Mr Richard Bruten
- Proof of evidence of Mr Richard Bruten
- Summary proof of evidence of Mr Steve Gudge
- Proof of evidence of Mr Steve Gudge
- Summary proof of evidence of Mr Peter Williams
- Proof of evidence of Mr Peter Williams
- Summary proof of evidence of Mr Steffan Shageer
- Proof of evidence of Mr Steffan Shageer
- Summary proof of evidence of Mr Rick Clayton (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)
- Proof of evidence of Mr Rick Clayton
2. Planning and Policy Documents
- Cornwall Local Plan 2016
- Local Transport Plan: Connecting Cornwall 2030 Strategy
- National Planning Policy Framework (2018)
- Planning Permission PA18/11986 (Granted 04 April 2019) ("Scheme Planning Permission")
- Planning Permission Associated Document: The Design Options Report
- Planning Permission Associated Document: Design and Access Statement
- Planning Permission Associated Document: Surface Water Management Strategy
- Planning Permission Associated Document: Statement of Community Involvement
- Roche Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan (2017)
- Minerals Local Plan (1998) (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)
- Minerals Safeguarding Development Plan Document
- Treverbyn Neighbourhood Development Plan
- Cornwall Site Allocations – Development Plan Document (adopted November 2019)
- Utility Report
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 1
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 2
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 3
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 4
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 5
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 6
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 7
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 8
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 9
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 10
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 11
- Utility Report Drawings Volume 12
- Drawing References
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 1
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 2
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 3
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 4
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 5 (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3), (Part 4)
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 6
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 7
- Utility Report Appendices Volume 8
- Stats Equipment Drawing Volume 1
- Stats Equipment Drawing Volume 2
- Stats Equipment Drawing Volume 3
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View the Transport Assessment in the planning portal. (You will need to filter by description and search "Transport Assessment" in the search bar and click apply).
3. Scoping Documents
- Options Appraisal Report for Roche Option 2 (Amended) ("OAR")
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Statement
- CORMAC 2015 Report on viability of proposed routes
4. Economic Documents
- Outline Business Case ("OBC")
- Full Business Case ("FBC")
- Government Funding Decision (November 2017)
5. Legislation
- Department for Communities and Local Government's Guidance on Compulsory purchase process and The Crichel Down Rules (the "CPO Guidance")
- Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) together with subordinate legislation
- The Acquisition of Land Act 1981
- The Highways Act 1980
- Compulsory Purchase (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 2007
- The Compulsory Purchase of Land (Prescribed Forms)(Ministers) Regulations 2004
Complementary traffic management measures will ease some of the effects of traffic transferring to the new road. These will be built in the surrounding villages and roads and will include:
- Additional traffic calming on the B3274. This will be through Ruddlemoor, Trethowel and Carthew (the White River Valley);
- Traffic calming and ‘placemaking’ in Bugle and Roche;
- Trekenning Junction Improvements. Realignment of B3247 and approach to T-junction to improve visibility
- Increasing the height clearance at the rail bridge on the A390 Holmbush Road.
These measures will be progressed in line with the timescales indicated below if funding is received as anticipated by the end of 2021.
White River Valley
The project team has engaged with representatives from the communities along the B3274 in White River Valley. The residents have expressed their concerns and preferences for a variety of treatments. Measures are being developed about these over the coming months. We aim to have these measures agreed and implemented in a short timescale.
Bugle and Roche
We have also met residents from Bugle and Roche. Feedback has given some idea of preferences from the two groups. The more complex situations within the Proposed Development in these two villages will take more time. The processes to get strategies implemented have been set out to the representatives.
The reasons for the measures, and the practicalities around their implementation, mean that they will be built around 2022. Several early wins are likely to be achieved before the road opens. However most of the works will need the quieter traffic conditions that will come with the new link road.
Trekenning Improvements
Improvements at Trekenning Junction on the road between Roche and St Columb Major have also been identified. These are at their initial stages. These works will:
- realign the junction
- widen the road in some places
- improve drainage along this route
This will improve the connection with the new link road. Allowing for surveys, scheme development and planning requirements, means that it will be completed early in 2022.
Holmbush Road Rail Bridge
Increasing the low height clearance will provide a route for the tallest of heavy goods vehicles. This means they can avoid St Austell’s residential streets. Surveys of the bridge’s foundations and the ground beneath them took place in November 2019. The findings of the investigations were positive. Therefore design is to be progressed in the coming months. An expression of interest has been submitted for Local Pinch Point Funds. This is to allow for the construction of the scheme. We are currently awaiting feedback for this submission.
The National Wildflower Centre at Eden has been appointed by Cornwall Council to create a planting scheme for the new A30 to St Austell link road. The National Wildflower Centre has specified six different wildflower mixes. These will be planted along the whole road. This will also include a significant quantity of heather seeding. The wildflower species are chosen to reflect the local flora of Cornwall. This will also be a great benefit to pollinators.
The National Wildflower Centre plans to source seeds from wild populations growing in Cornwall. This involves liaising with local landowners to grow enough seed for the landscaping works. This will follow the construction phase in 2-3 years’ time. Eden have been working with volunteers to collect the Red Campion and Foxglove that are needed in large quantities. They will also collect some of the species which are more problematic to grow. Such as Bird’s Foot Trefoil. Eden have also combine-harvested a significant quantity of cornfield annual seed. This is from the wildflower fields at the Eden Project. These amazing landscapes attracted national press attention this year. They hope to provide a taste of what is to come with the new road planting.
During 2020 they worked with volunteers and local botanists to collect the rest of the starter seed needed from wild populations. They also got the seeds in the ground for a big harvest in 2021. The final result of all this effort will be a net gain for biodiversity for the whole project. A feat unheard of for a road construction project. Cornwall Council is proud to be leading the way in this with Eden. We cannot wait to see the results.
Use the links below to view the displays and a booklet which were available at the Public Exhibitions.
- Exhibition booklet
- Banner 1 - Welcome
- Banner 2 - Fast facts
- Banner 3 - The story so far
- Banner 4 - Developing the scheme
- Banner 5 - The new link road
- Banner 6 - What will happen to existing roads
- Banner 7 - Scheme in detail - part 1
- Banner 8 - Scheme in detail - part 2
- Banner 9 - Scheme in detail - part 3
- Banner 10 - Scheme in detail - part 4
- Banner 11 - Assessing the effect on the environment
- Banner 12 - Landscape and the environment
- Banner 13 - Walking, cycling and horse riding
- Banner 14 - What happens next
- Banner 15 - Faster and slower
- Banner 16 - Plans and places
- Banner 17 - Roles and roads
- Banner 18 - Routes and flowers
- Appraisal and Modelling Checklist
- Final Business Case - August 2020
- Scheme Plans
- NMU Plans
- Complementary Measures Plans
- Response to DFT OBC Comments
- CPO Plans
- Environmental Constraints
- Economic Narrative
- Cormac OAR Refresh
- Preferred Options Assessment Report
- Statement of Community Involvement
- Public Engagement Report
- Data Collection Report
- St Austell Model Validation
- Appraisal Specification Report
- Traffic Forecasting Report
- Economic Assessment Report
- Economic Impacts Report
- Environmental Appraisal Report
- Appraisal Summary Table
- Distributional Impact Report
- Project Programme
- Quality Assurance Plan
- Communications Strategy
- Risk Management Plan
- Benefits Realisation Plan
- Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
- Lessons Learned Log
- Procurement Strategy
- Risk Register
- Cost Report
- Benchmark Cost Report
Need help?
Most issues can be resolved online, it's the quickest and most convenient way to get help.
- A30 to St Austell Team
- Floor 4, Zone B
Pydar House
Pydar Street
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 1XU - 0300 1234222
- A30tostaustell@cornwall.gov.uk