A30 underpass to be filled in after bridge opened

The underpass has been blocked off four years after it was built

An underpass on a new stretch of the A30 is being filled in four years after it was built because it has been "superseded" by a bridge.

The tunnel near the Chiverton junction is being closed because it is so near to a bridge with the same function, the Local Democracy Reporting Services (LDRS) said.

National Highways said the underpass had proved redundant and would be bricked up.

The underpass was built in 2021as part of the A30 dualling project. The £2.68m bridge was built 450 metres away last year as part of the Saints Trails.

'Superseded'

Andrew Clark, National Highways' senior project manager on the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme, said: "One of the key benefits of the A30 upgrade is to improve and increase connectivity for local communities living alongside the route.

He said Cornwall Council's bridge, which opened in April 2024 with National Highways funding, was "already offering excellent provision for cyclists, horse riders and other non-motorised users to cross the busy A30 route".

Mr Clark added: "The Chiverton underpass has now been superseded by the construction of the Saints Trail bridge and, with the agreement of Cornwall Council, we have taken the decision to infill the underpass and point non-motorised users to the bridge, which is just 450 metres away."

He said infilling the underpass would save maintenance costs and prevent anti-social behaviour.

A National Highways spokesperson said the agency "always scrutinises costs on any project to ensure value for money for the taxpayer".