The new A30 stretch will stay unlit at night to reduce light pollution, raising safety concerns among local drivers about navigating dark junctions.
Truro: The new A30 stretch between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross is set to stay dark at night. This decision aims to cut down on light pollution. The project, which cost £330 million, opened last June. However, some finishing touches are still in progress and should wrap up by this June.
They’re working on intersections, road markings, and signage. Plus, there’s a green bridge being built at Marazanvose. It’s the seventh of its kind in England and will have paths for pedestrians and horse riders.
This bridge will be planted with greenery to help wildlife cross the road safely. It’s designed to support badgers, voles, and other small creatures. The new A30 section near Truro will not have any lighting at night, even under the flyovers.
Simon Osborne, a regular A30 user, expressed his worries about the dark areas, especially at Chiverton. He reached out to National Highways, concerned about safety.
In a message, he shared his surprise at how dark it was under the A30 flyover. He found it hard to see road markings and navigate the roundabout. He noticed Carland Cross Roundabout was just as dark.
Simon pointed out that other junctions nearby are well-lit, making the decision to keep this stretch dark puzzling. He mentioned the stark contrast with the Avers and Tolvaddon Interchanges, which are brightly lit.
Jason Stanton, the project manager, confirmed that the lack of lighting is for environmental reasons. He assured Simon that temporary lights are in place for worker safety during construction.
He explained that the A30 is still a construction site, and safety is a top priority. There are currently no plans for permanent lighting at Chiverton once the work is done. This aligns with the Development Consent Order, which prohibits road lighting along this stretch.
Stanton emphasized that safety assessments have been done to ensure the unlit junctions are safe for drivers. The project is designed to support dark skies, following the government’s initiative to reduce light pollution, especially in beautiful areas like Cornwall.
Once the project is handed over, Cornwall Council might consider other options for lighting.
