Frequently Asked Questions

At the Full Council meeting of 21 Jan 2025 Cllr Adrian Parsons put forward a motion:  

‘That Cornwall Council actively support the re-evaluation of 2015 plans (HA2015Designs.pdf) for a grade separated junction on the A30 at Plusha in order to develop a scheme and associated business case to secure funding from DfT and eventual implementation in partnership with National Highways.’  

The details of the motion to Full Council and the briefing note prepared by Officers outlining the implications of this decision can be found online under item 9.1 here.

The intended outcome of the Study is to produce the strongest possible Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the best performing option(s) in terms of Strategic fit and cost benefit ratio, and overall deliverability – essentially a preferred option that meets the project objectives and stakeholder expectations.

In response to the motion to Full Council on 21 Jan 2025 (found online under item 9.1 here), on 21 Feb 2025 the Portfolio Holder for Transport, in consultation with Cabinet colleagues, agreed to allocate £250,000 from 2025/26 Local Transport Plan (LTP) budget for the Council to undertake the study for developing a full grade separated junction.  

There is currently no funding or programme for the delivery of the scheme. The Council Study is an essential first step to seek future funding opportunities from Central Government for major project funding.

The Study will follow proscribed methodology for developing a business case for major transport schemes in line with Department for Transport guidance. Further details on how this is being applied in the Study can be found in the ‘Project Brief’.

The Council continues to support National Highways in progressing measures identified in the ‘A30 Kennards House to Five Lanes road safety improvements’ feasibility Study. The Council Study into a long-term solution should build upon any of the short-term safety improvements that National Highways are seeking to provide.

This study largely involves re-evaluation of previous design work and the more recent studies done by National Highways, plus development of further ideas and options. Some traffic and topographical surveys will be required, and where access is required to private land the owners will be contacted directly. 

Landowners will be consulted on any feasible options that may be taken forward for further consideration as these emerge from the study - please contact the project team directly if you are a local landowner and have any specific queries.

Engagement on the study has been undertaken with the Local Councillor, MP, and representatives from Parish Councils and local interest group. 

Originally the intention had been to present the findings of the study and get the views of the public and local communities in early 2026. However we are not currently planning to undertake any wider public consultation on the shortlist options at this time – this is in part to avoid any confusion with the upcoming works and engagement on the National Highways A30 Kennards Hse to 5 Lanes Safety Package for which DfT funding has recently been confirmed (these works are likely to commence in early autumn). Also crucially, it is felt it would make more sense to go out to wider public if or when we have more certainty of Government/ DfT support for a scheme rather than incur extra costs now and raise expectations unnecessarily.

Updates on progress with the Study will be posted on the Let’s Talk website, with relevant reports and presentations available in the documents area. Please check back for the latest news.

If you have any specific queries, please contact the Project Team at email address below with A30 Plusha Study in the title.

Email: connectingcornwall@cornwall.gov.uk