Biodiversity work progressing as part of huge Cornish retrofit project

A new retrofit project in Cornwall is aiming to leave a long-lasting legacy by protecting and enhancing the environment and ecology of the particular area.

Work to upgrade the National Highways A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross in Cornwall has begun after experiencing issues which were exacerbated by a spell on severe winter weather. The scheme will unlock one of the last major bottlenecks in the country by creating an 8.7-mile section of dual carriage to help promote economic growth, improve journey times, and increase safety.

The new route, which is being partly funded by an £8m contribution from the European Regional Development Fund, has also been designed to improve connectivity for wildlife, with a total of 33 multi-species crossing points being constructed, alongside the new junction structures, to enable the journeys of animals such as otters, badgers, bats, and reptiles and to allow them to access wider areas of habitat.

As construction progresses on the dualling scheme, National Highways, and principal contractors Costain are predicting an approximate 20% net gain in biodiversity. To achieve this, experts are planning to create eight miles of traditional Cornish hedging, as well as the restoration of existing hedging, and the relocation of reptiles and a section of property heathland habitat near Carland Cross.

Nick Simmonds-Screech, National Highways’ Project Director, said: ‘We’re really proud of the work we’re undertaking to protect the ecology and environment in the area, and the Cornish hedging and heathland relocation work are glowing examples of this.

‘The design of the road has been carried out using locally quarried stone, local labour and expertise, and following issues with some collapsed sections during the winter, we are progressing the building work with out contractors, including members of the Guild of Cornish Hedgers, and we’re looking forward to leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit biodiversity in this location.’

To ensure the preservation of native species such as adders, grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards, a team of nationally recognised environment consultants from Truro-based Spalding Associates rescued the animals from the heathland before it was cut into turfs and placed them in a local animal shelter.

Image: Rui Silvestre