CONSTRUCTION works which aim to address the long-standing issues on the A30 between the junctions of Kennards House and Five Lanes is set to get underway in Autumn 2026, it has been confirmed.

National Highways, which is responsible for the maintenance of the major trunk roads going through Cornwall, says that it aims to make the A30 between the two junctions safer after multiple incidents involving collisions, particularly at the Plusha Junction.

A spate of serious road collisions, some of which were fatal at Plusha Junction led to an amplification in calls for the government agency to take action to protect motorists by Cornwall Council members for the area in addition to residents.

In response, a temporary arrangement involving turning restrictions and a reprofiling of the junction between the two carriageways of the A30 was implemented while plans were created for a permanent, long-term response.

Calls for the construction of a ‘fly-over’ bridge to take traffic seeking to cross the A30 at the junction over the road have been consistently rejected on the basis of cost.

Over 400 people responded to a survey on the proposals, which indicated that locals were concerned about the proposed closure of the junction at Two Bridges and the impact it might have on people in Lewannick.

93 per cent of those surveyed online said they thought intervention was required.

In response to the survey, the proposal to close the junction at Two Bridges was dropped, but it will be closely monitored in the coming years, while the plans for the junction at Plusha will go ahead due to its poorer safety record.

As part of its plans, National Highways will ‘fund local network improvements’ to minimise the impact of any traffic on the community’.

A spokesperson for National Highways (formerly Highways England) said: “The A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes suffers from a significant level of collisions, particularly at junctions.

“We are carrying out surveys and investigations to help identify opportunities to improve road safety along this route.

“The road safety improvements will include activities such as junction and visibility improvements, including partial gap closures diverting some traffic to other junctions, working with Cornwall Council to provide mitigation where traffic is diverted to local roads, improvements to traffic signs, road markings and road studs, and improvements to safety features such as roadside barriers.

“This work is to improve safety and won't change capacity along the A30.

“We’re continuing to prepare for the safety improvements planned between Kennards House and Five Lanes.

“Safety remains our highest priority, and we want to make sure the scheme is delivered in the safest and least disruptive way.

“We’re now working towards starting main construction in autumn 2026, allowing us to complete essential planning and coordinate with local partners to minimise disruption during busy periods.

“The interim safety measures already in place at Plusha will remain active and effective until full works begin this autumn.

“We’ll share further updates as the programme progresses and continue to keep road users and local communities informed.”