National Highways is progressing with a scheme which will improve
safety for motorists on the A38 in Cornwall.
In recent years, the A38 at Notter Bridge has been identified as
a designated flooding hot spot, creating a significant hazard for
road users.
Following safety studies, a £1.3 million drainage improvement
scheme is being carried out to refurbish the highway drainage
system and mitigate further flooding on land close to the River
Lynher.
Work started in early September, is on schedule to be completed
in mid-December before the Christmas holidays, and the National
Highways project team recently hosted South East Cornwall MP
for a site visit to update on
progress.
Recent safety studies identified a significant percentage of
rain-related collisions in the location and the investment, which
will bring both safety and environmental benefits, has been
realised through National Highways' Environment and Well being
fund.
Following the visit, MP said: “It was excellent
getting to meet the team delivering the improvements at Notter
Bridge. I'm more than aware of how much need there's been for
drainage improvements here following historical flooding in the
area.
“The completion of these works will be of great local benefit to
residents, road users and the environment. I'm pleased that the
works are on schedule and I'm aware that National Highways and
Octavius have worked tirelessly to ensure that the works are
completed on time and to high standards.”
Ian Ellis, National Highways' South West Programme Manager, said:
“We're investing in the environment and communities surrounding
our network, as well as the people travelling and working on it,
and this environmental investment will make a difference for both
local communities and the thousands of people who use this route.
“We've worked closely with Octavius to realise this project – a
glowing example of how we can make a positive environmental
impact while improving safety for motorists on our roads.”
Work, which involves the replacement of existing drainage pipes
and gullies, significant vegetation clearance, barrier renewal,
waterproofing and resurfacing, is currently being carried out
under single lane westbound and eastbound closures of the A38.
Working with local communities, a bus shuttle service has also
been provided by the project team to minimise disruption during
the second stage of the scheme.
Changes to the traffic management have been communicated in
advance and for more details on the scheme, along with National
Highways' other work in the South West, people can log on to
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/south-west/
National Highways manages four designated funds to
deliver benefits above and beyond building, maintaining and
operating England's strategic roads.
From protecting the environment and enhancing the landscape
around roads, to improving safety, reducing congestion, and
supporting communities, the aim is to make a positive difference
to people's lives.
Elsewhere in the South West, National Highways' designated
funding has also enabled woodland, grassland and heathland
enhancements close to the A30 in Corwall, enabled grassland and
wildflower initiatives along the A303 and M4 in Wiltshire, the
A46 near Bath and the A35 in Dorset, along with a suite of
wildflower grasslands projects alongside the strategic road
network in the Cotswolds.
And during the work, drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel
information on local radio, the @HighwaysSWEST Twitter feed, by
phoning the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000
or by accessing the website: www.trafficengland.com
