Traffic worse since A30 upgrade, residents say

Residents and businesses in a Cornish town said traffic congestion had “become worse” since a multimillion-pound upgrade to the A30.

The £330m project between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross roundabouts started in 2020 and finished in June.

The mayor of Hayle said some residents had told her they felt like “prisoners in their own homes” during peak times since the work was completed.

National Highways said the aims of the A30 scheme included reducing congestion, boosting economic growth and connecting communities. Authorities said they were monitoring traffic issues and improvements to Hayle’s roads were considered in initial plans.

Since the upgrade work was completed, the Loggan’s Moor roundabout at Hayle is the first drivers come to if travelling on the A30 in the county from the east.

Hayle’s mayor, June Lawrenson-Reid, said: “There have been problems on the road for a few years in the summertime but it’s [been] exceptionally noticeable since the start of the summer.

“People in the town are really having difficulty in the summer and some of them feel like prisoners in their own homes, they can’t get out.

“Although an upgrade to the Hayle bypass is a long way off, in the short term we’ll have to consider restrictions on lorries.”

People in Hayle said traffic had been busier on the A30 approaching the roundabout, through the town and on the back roads.

Peter Channon, who is the Cornwall councillor for Hayle West, said the roads were “getting gridlocked on a regular basis, regardless of the weather and not just at the peak holiday times”.

“It’s causing a drop in business for the area… the roads leading to Hayle and the back roads are packed.

“People are trying to avoid the area, they’re trying to bypass the bypass.”

Nikki Vincent, who works as a flower delivery driver for The Big Pink Tree florist in the town, said: “The roads in and out of Hayle have been horrendous all summer.

“You have to take all the back roads to try to avoid the traffic but the locals use them too so they get blocked up too”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “While the A30 is a National Highways road, we are carrying out research at Loggans Moor to understand how travel habits have changed over recent years and the impact on the junction of various factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and opening of the dual carriageway between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross.”

National Highways said: “Our initial route strategy acknowledges a consideration for improvements around the Hayle area.

“Future action will depend on funding and priorities set out by central government in their next road investment period (2025 to 2030), and local stakeholders and communities will be kept informed on any progress.”