A30 in central Cornwall

[ChrisF]

A new section of the A30 has been opened between Chiverton Cross https://maps.app.goo.gl/dPtvtKBP15pw29347 and Carland Cross https://maps.app.goo.gl/sKbchfQEk9ugMUyh9. The A30 is (was) the shortest route throgh Cornwall for LeJog (though not the most pleasant!).
The problem is that cycles are not allowed on new section of the A30 , and the 'de-trunked' old A30 (now to be the B3288) isn't yet completed - there are still bridges and junctions to be finished. So the A30 (both old and new) are no-go areas for LeJog or JogLe this summer.

I'll try to do an on-the-ground recce in the new few days to suggest the best route through this area. When everything is completed (later this year we hope, but maybe not for 6 months ) the old A30 will be relatively traffic free, and probably the best route for LeJog.

[ChrisF]

Well I tried this today and it was a bit of a disaster - many more closed bits of road than I thought there would be. The 'official' signposted cycling alternative has many missing signs, and at one point takes you on a muddy gravelly track for about a mile.
So until the old A30 is finished, I recommend following Mick F's ideas here viewtopic.php?t=155436.

I'll come back here with another post when the scheme is complete.

[drossall]

Does make you wonder about the legalities of closing a section of road to (some) traffic with no realistic alternative, not that anyone would apparently fancy riding on the new road.

[Mick F]

Good morning guys.
Not been on the forum for quite some weeks, as I've not really had anything new to say.

However .....................

Some of you will know that some time back, I set about riding over all 79 bridges over the A30 from Exeter to Penzance.
There are (were) 79 of them.

Now, as the A30 has been dualled between Carland Cross and Blackwater, Bridge 58 at Zelah has been moved and lengthened.
I call that one Bridge 58(new).

Further west at Marazanvose, they are building a "Green Bridge" to allow wildlife to cross. It also includes a bridle way and footpath.
I'm calling that one Bridge 58 Green.

Then, at Chybucca, there is a new intersection including a bridge. This one I call 58 Chybucca.
Further west at Blackwater, they've build a cycle/pedestrian bridge forming part of the Saint's Trail. This one is 58 Saints.

I've already done 59 etc.

To this end, yesterday, I put Mercian in the back of the car and headed to Mitchell to park up and make my way west to do the above bridges, fully expecting road closures and perhaps the Green Bridge no yet open.

Trouble is, the first bridge of the day (Bridge 58 New) maybe open to allow traffic on the New A30, but it isn't open across the top!
I gave up, very disgruntled and headed back to the car. 13 miles there and back for nothing!!! Also, it was 50miles each way driving from home to Mitchell.

Photo of the fencing, and links to Cornwall Highways.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-road ... and-cross/
You can scroll down to see the layouts.

Green Bridge.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/article/ ... -wildlife/

This was my abortive attempt at Bridge 58 New.

Here's a streetview of the 58 bridges. New on the left, old on the right (since removed)

Due to the fact that some of the local roads are closed, I would avoid the whole area if you are contemplating an End2End this summer.
Head north-ish from Blackwater in the Newquay direction or maybe south-ish to go via Truro.

I plan on emailing Cornwall Highways to ask when the local roads will be complete, let alone the bridges!

[Mick F]

PS:

This was my proposed route yesterday. It illustrates where the bridges are.

This was my actual track from yesterday. You can see that I had to divert due to the road closure. I went back the same way.
In principle, in the future, an End2Ender could follow my proposed track and peel off northwards up Route 32.

[ChrisF]

I contacted National Highways last week. My question:

• "Please can you direct me to any plans of proposed cycling routes along the de-trunked A30 when the work is complete? I am particularly interested in routes for those travelling E/W or W/E, i.e. Blackwater to Summercourt or vice-versa, and how the new junctions at Chiverton and Carland will be negotiated"

Their answer (removing all the marketing waffle):

• "We are currently unable to share detailed plans of the new cycle routes. However, if you wish to receive these plans, please get in touch later this year."

So it sounds as if there aren't any plans. That's inexcusable. Currently, cycling round the new roundabouts at either end is horrific.

[mattheus]

Cornwall seems a very awkward place to cycle.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to ride Plymouth-JOG?

[Mick F]

Rubbish news from Highways.
Plymouth - John o'Groats doesn't have the right ring to it.

I've emailed Highways earlier today. Yet to receive a reply.
Background ..........

A couple or so years ago, I was trying to get to Bridge 30, and found out that it was a private road down to Eversfield Organics.
I emailed them, and they were wonderfully helpful and I turned up and they let me through. I'd explained what I was trying to do and they were mightily impressed! I went up to their office to introduce myself en-route to the bridge.

I've used the same format to email Highways.

Good morning.
I’m sorry this may seem a bit long-winded, but I want to illustrate my problem.

I am a keen liesure cyclist living in Cornwall. I’m in my early 70s and seem to have been riding my bike just about everywhere! I spent many years in the RN and always took a bike, and I’ve ridden it all over the world!

Some few years ago. I set about riding over all the bridges over the A30 from Exeter to Penzance. There are (were) 79 of them. I did them all.

Now, there are new ones!
Bridge 58 at Zelah has been moved and lengthened.
There is a Green Bridge at Marazanvose, another bridge at Chybucca, and a new cycle/pedestrian bridge near Blackwater.

Yesterday, I tried to cross the new Bridge 58 at Zelah, but although the new dual carriageway is open underneath it, the new bridge on top is not!

I ddin’t ride further to look at the others becasue I got the impression that Bridge 58 wouldn’t be the only disappointment.

When are these bridges going to be open? Also, I see there are some local road closures. When are the local roads being fully openned?


I look forward to your reply.

Mick Fairhurst.

[Mick F]

Still no reply from them.

Late last week, I was stung on my eyes and face by some wasps!!
Basically recovered now, and the weather is cheering up too, so I'm off "down west" again tomorrow.

My plan is to drive down to Zelah with Mercian, and have a quick shufti at the new bridge 58, have a shufti at the Garden Bridge, though I doubt I can get to either of them. Then down to Chybucca for the next bridge (that I know is open) and down to the cycle bridge.
Meanwhile, I'll check out the old A30.

If you look at the AA Roadwatch site ................. https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/traffic-news .............. and scroll west you can see where the traffic is flowing and which roads are still closed.

I'll check at the coal face tomorrow. When it's all clear, it will be a fine route on the Southwestern leg for LE to JOG.

[rjb]

Why aren't cyclists allowed on the A30. It's not a motorway.

[Paulatic]

It’s not only motorways cyclists are banned from.
This isn’t a motorway

[rjb]

Thin end of the wedge. Perhaps we should campaign for motor vehicles to be excluded from cycle routes.

[drossall]

Should be seen as a sign of failure. If you can't build a route that cyclists prefer to use, try harder.

[Mick F]

Hi guys.

Update from today.

I loaded Mercian into the car (and my stuff) and headed to the A30 and down to Zelah, but as I got nearer there, I figured on driving further to Chiverton Cross to have a shufti. This was an idea I had before, to see what was going on with my own eyes to asses the old and new A30 stuff.

First thing of note, is that the new A30 is fully open as a dual carriageway, and the new section isn't open to cyclists, agricultural vehicles, horses, or mopeds etc ............. just like a motorway! The rest of the A30 dual carriageway from Exeter to Penzance is fine for the above. Why the new section has them banned, I ain't got a clue.

I carried on and looked at the cycle/pedestrian bridge and followed the Truro A390 road towards Truro but headed northish via Shortlanesend to go via Zelah and rejoin the A30 at Carland Cross ............ and then headed home. Then, took the dog a walk to the Rising Sun and back!

More info, is that the bridges and the Old A30 isn't all the way open. Many parts with No Entry signs, or info signs saying Works Vehicles Only.

Bridge-wise, the New Bridge 58 is far from being open, and the Green Bridge is very very far from being even complete. Chybucca is fine as is the cycle bridge.

When I came home after the walk, I received and email from Highways.

Very interesting and friendly and informative.

Dear Mick

Thank you for your email on 11 July regarding our A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme.

Firstly, it's wonderful to hear that you're excited to ride your bike across our new scheme bridges.

As you may know, the scheme includes the construction and improvement of ten new underpasses and underbridges that will benefit non-motorised users (NMU) such as walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. Additionally, three new bridges will span the new road, ensuring the National Cycle Network remains intact and unaffected.

The scheme also includes two underpasses specifically for NMU use and multi-species crossings designed to provide foraging, nesting, and roosting opportunities for protected and notable species, including bats, badgers, invertebrates, reptiles, and birds.

We anticipate that the bridges will be completed and fully accessible to non-motorised users by December 2024. However, we currently cannot share detailed plans for the new cycle routes. If you are interested in receiving these plans, please contact us later this year.

Regarding your query about the reopening of local roads, there is still significant work to be completed on the project which we aim to complete towards the end of the year. This includes installing signage, finishing the structures such as the green bridge at Marazanvose, and working on the old A30, which we plan to hand over to Cornwall Council later this year.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive towards project completion.

If you require general updates on the A30, please visit our scheme website. If you would like to contact the scheme for more information, you can email A30ChivertontoCarlandCross@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.

To help us identify and make improvements to our responses, we would be very grateful if you could please take our feedback survey by clicking here.

You can also report any issues on any of our roads by using the Report a Problem page on our National Highways website: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/about-us/contact-us/

Kind Regards

Emma

Emma Toms | Project Support Officer
Regional Investment Programme, South West |
A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross Scheme
National Highways

Any road up, I ain't bothering with even attempting to cycle the bridges as yet. Give it some months, and maybe even next year!
Also, if I were advising a prospective LEJOGer .......... like I have done many times ............. I would advise very strongly to avoid the A30 corridor from Redruth/Scorrier onwards, and head northwards in the Newquay direction or southerly via Truro.

Sorry, but I find this quite depressing although quite enlightening at the same time.
It was better .......... as a cyclist ............ before.
Fingers crossed for next season.

[drossall]

I'm still unsure about the idea of having no provision at all for some vehicles to get from A to B. Whether it makes sense to close the new road to non-motorised traffic is one question. But whether it should even be legal to do that when there is no alternative for more than half a year is another.

Fortunately, I don't live anywhere near Cornwall...