A transport minister visited Roche to see first-hand the progress being made on a vital new St Austell link road.
Richard Holden, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport, heard how the new road will not only provide a vital and much needed direct link from the A30 to St Austell but also offer an alternative route for traffic that currently goes through the villages of Bugle and Roche, making a huge difference to residents living in those villages.
The new link will support employment, housing and regeneration in the area including economic growth and improved access to Cornwall’s growing employment sites. He viewed drone footage that gave a bird’s eye view of the significant work already undertaken to build the 3.9-mile single carriageway road and saw the new Tregoss Roundabout which has been built as part of the scheme.
The new road, once complete, will run from the Singlerose Roundabout south of Stenalees, bypassing to the west of Roche to link to the A30 via the Victoria junction, with new junctions to provide local access, which will link the A391 at Carluddon with the A30 at Victoria.
Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Connor Donnithorne said: “I hope the minister was impressed with the progress being made and plans to complement the new road by delivering five-and-a-half miles of new paths and routes for walking, cycling and horse riding. There will also be a ‘green corridor’ of wildflowers, with wildflower species chosen to reflect the local flora of Cornwall, as well as heathland, trees, and shrubs to support wildlife habitats, insects, and pollinators as we work to support active travel and biodiversity as part of this vital project.”
Roads Minister Mr Holden said: “Here in Cornwall, we have invested over £78 million for the new A30 link road to ease congestion, boost local connectivity and provide new opportunities for walking and cycling, while creating new jobs and helping to grow the local economy.”
Mr Holden also heard how Cornwall’s successful bus fares pilot which, combined with the government’s extended £2 flat fare single journey scheme, has encouraged more residents and visitors to get back on the bus.
Mr Holden was told how active travel initiatives like Cornwall’s e-bike share scheme, Beryl bikes which are available at locations all across Cornwall, have proved to be popular
Cllr Donnithorne added: “We were delighted to welcome Richard Holden and discuss with him how our commitment to improve public transport and promote active travel in Cornwall is progressing and how we’re delivering the Cornwall Transport Plan.”
The minister was also updated on the scheme to offer free bus travel to care leavers which he heard about on his visit to Cornwall earlier this year.
Cornwall Council has officially adopted the scheme after a successful pilot run in Cornwall with the charities Carefree and Barnardo’ and the bus operators. The first passes have been issued to care leavers giving them free bus travel in Cornwall to give them better access to work, training or study and getting to appointments, as well help improve mental health and reduce isolation.