Highways Agency

A30 Chiverton Cross Roundabout Improvement

Public Consultation and Exhibition

Introduction

The Chiverton Cross Roundabout is situated on the A30 approximately 6km (3.5 miles) to the northeast of Redruth and forms a junction with the A390 from Truro, the A3075 from Newquay, the B3277 from St. Agnes and the C700 from Blackwater. There is a service area adjacent to the roundabout, which is accessed from the Blackwater arm.

The proposals outlined for this minor scheme will provide interim improvements prior to the construction of the proposed A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross major scheme.

Scheme Plan

Scheme plan (250KB PDF)

The Problem

The roundabout has a poor accident record with 30 injury accidents recorded in a five-year period between 1998 and 2002. Three of these accidents were classified as serious. In addition, long queues of vehicles form on some arms at peak times.

Observations at the roundabout indicate there are four main problems contributing to the poor accident record, which are as follows:

Speed and poor lane discipline of traffic circulating on the roundabout

This leads to collisions on the roundabout itself and contributes to the 'shunt' type accidents as drivers begin to move forward to enter the roundabout, but then hesitate when they realise there is insufficient gap in the approaching traffic.

Number of approaches

The roundabout currently has six arms, which has led to short distances between some arms. Combined with the high speeds, this increases the potential for driver hesitation and vehicle conflicts. The number of exits makes it difficult for drivers to decide which lane they should be in on the approach arm and where to position their vehicle on the roundabout itself. Confusion also arises on exiting the roundabout, particularly on the A3075 Newquay, A30 Bodmin and A390 Truro arms.

Congestion on the A390 from Truro

At peak times, particularly in the evening, very long queues form on the approach to the roundabout from the Truro direction. About half of the traffic on this arm takes the first exit towards Redruth. This gives rise to some driver frustration, which in turn may lead to failures to give way and rear end 'shunt' accidents.

Cyclists and pedestrians

It is difficult for pedestrians to cross at the roundabout, particularly at the dual carriageway arm of the A30 on the Redruth side. Between June 1998 and May 2001, there were two injury accidents involving cyclists. In both cases the cyclists were hit by vehicles that failed to give way.

Proposed Junction Improvement

The principal objectives of the scheme are to improve safety for all types of user and reduce congestion.

The proposed scheme consists of:

• Lane lines and destinations marked on the roundabout to correctly position vehicles for their required exit. Additional direction signs on approaches, together with lane markings, showing correct entry lane.
• Small subsidiary islands on the A30 and A390 entries to improve deflection, thereby slowing vehicles down as they approach. These also provide a refuge for pedestrians and cyclists crossing.
• Segregated left turn lane on the A390 approach, allowing left turning vehicles travelling towards Redruth to negotiate the roundabout without giving way to circulating traffic.
• New smaller roundabout linking the B3277 to St Agnes and the road to Blackwater, together with a replacement link road to the main roundabout to reduce the number of arms on the main roundabout.
• New combined footway/cycleway.
• New advanced signing and street lighting.

The cost of the scheme would be approximately £890,000 with an expected construction period of about five months. An economic assessment, in terms of savings on accident costs and reduction in traffic delays, gained before the major scheme is built, more than justifies the scheme.

Benefits of the Proposed Improvement

• Improved safety
• Reduced congestion on the A390 County Road from Truro
• Improved facilities for cyclist and pedestrians
• Improved access to service area
• Minimum environmental impact
• No land purchase required

Proposed A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross Major Improvement Scheme

This is a larger scheme to upgrade the A30 to dual carriageway standard between the junctions at Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross. It is one of the 'Targeted Programme of Improvements' (TPI) schemes and as such forms part of the Government's 10 Year Plan for Transport.

The scheme proposals include the construction of a new interchange at Chiverton Cross, with side road traffic crossing the A30 via two overbridges, which would replace the existing roundabout. It is anticipated that the new subsidiary roundabout linking the B3277 St. Agnes and Blackwater roads would remain.

The TPI scheme is currently programmed to be open to traffic by 2010, subject to the completion of the necessary statutory procedures.

What Happens Next?

The public consultation ends on Friday 17th September 2004 after which we will publish a report on the findings. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the next stage would be to confirm the preferred scheme. An announcement is likely to be made in early 2005.

Further detailed design would be undertaken leading to the publication of detailed proposals in the form of draft orders in mid 2005. The publication of the draft orders marks the start of the statutory procedures, beginning with a 6-week period for people to comment or object to the published proposals.

Any comments you make now will not affect your right to make representations or object later, when the draft Orders are published.

A Public Inquiry may follow if objections cannot be resolved. If no objections are received, the Orders can be made and construction can start.

The above outline programme is subject to the completion of the necessary statutory procedures and the availability of funding.

PLEASE COME TO THE EXHIBITION AND PLEASE COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Project Stages

Alternatives investigated; public consultation; preferred scheme announced; scheme developed further by managing agent; detailed proposals published and statutory procedures commence; public enquiry (if necessary); decision anounced; land acquisition; construction

Public Consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to inform you of the options that have been considered and to give local people and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed junction improvement.

More detailed information will be displayed at The Public Exhibition, to be held on Wednesday 23rd June 2004, 8.30am to 8pm at Chacewater Village Hall, Chacewater, Cornwall

Location of Exhibition Venue

You are invited to attend an exhibition, to be held on:

Wednesday 23rd June 2004, 8.30am to 8pm

at

Chacewater Village Hall
Church Hill
Chacewater
Cornwall
TR4 8PZ

Staff from both the Highways Agency, and their Consultants, Parsons Brinckerhoff will be on hand to answer your questions and listen to your comments.

Your Views Are Important

Further copies of this brochure can be obtained at the exhibition or from:

Neil Glasper
The Highways Agency,
Ash House,
Falcon Road, Sowton,
Exeter, Devon EX2 7LB
Tel. 01392 312566

Email: neil.glasper@highways.gsi.gov.uk