Traffic displaced by A30 roadworks in Cornwall is moving through rural lanes that were not designed for it, councils say. Sat-navs are guiding drivers away from official diversions and onto narrow village roads at Trewint and Tregadillett, causing delays and safety worries.
Six months, six junctions
The disruption stems from the Kennards House to Five Lanes safety scheme, a £9.8 million project started on 5 September. It targets collision reductions by altering junction layouts, improving visibility, and enhancing signage over six junctions along the A30.
Village lanes overloaded
Councillor Adam Paynter, deputy leader of Cornwall Council, says sat-navs divert traffic off the A30 onto rural back roads near Trewint. Drivers find themselves backed up, needing to reverse on single-track lanes with high hedgerows, exacerbating congestion and frustration. Similar issues affect Tregadillett, where residents struggle to leave their homes safely, and children walk along routes now burdened with more vehicles.
Warnings before work began
Paynter and fellow councillor Adrian Parsons say they warned National Highways months before work started that local roads could not handle the extra traffic. Parsons described the six-month scheme duration as unacceptable and criticised the lack of community consultation.
Disagreement over scheme priorities
Paynter also questioned the focus on multiple junction alterations rather than investing in a flyover at Plusha junction, Cornwall's worst accident blackspot. National Highways previously ruled out a flyover as too costly compared to the current scheme based on collision data.
National Highways responds
A National Highways spokesperson apologised for the disruption and explained the scheme's goal to reduce collisions through targeted junction changes. They said traffic management remains even when no work is active to protect users and partially completed works.
The spokesperson acknowledged concerns about diversion routes and signage effectiveness. They confirmed an active review of feedback and cooperation with Cornwall Council and traffic managers to identify improvements.
Review underway, changes expected
Weekly meetings between National Highways and Cornwall Council’s highways team are now in place to address issues. Councillor Paynter reported some improvements are already happening.
What it means for residents and drivers
For residents in affected villages, the sudden increase in through-traffic raises safety concerns, especially near the local school. National Highways faces the challenge of revising diversion plans that prevent drivers from bypassing queues via unsuitable roads throughout the remaining five months of work.
Drivers on the A30 should continue to plan for delays and avoid shortcuts suggested by sat-navs that lead through narrow village lanes.
