5 March 2010

Junction Improvement to Assist the Economic Regeneration of the Tolvaddon Area

Another piece of the highway improvements jigsaw for the Camborne Pool Redruth area has fallen into place with the switching on of the new traffic signals at the junction of A3047 Tolvaddon Road with the A30 eastbound slip roads. 

The new signals will provide improved right turn facilities for traffic entering and leaving Tolvaddon, and the adjacent business park, via the A3047 which links to Pool to the south and the A30 trunk road to the east.

Engineers have been testing the signals and making final adjustments before the signals are permanently switched on.  Motorists are asked to take care as there are a number of lane changes at the junction and advanced signing and lane markings should be followed.  There are also likely to be further construction activities in the area which may be distracting to drivers.

This scheme, funded by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) represents a further step in achieving transport related improvements in the area that will assist in enabling further business development, including extension of the Tolvaddon Business Park which is owned by the RDA.

The completion of this junction improvement follows the opening of the new signalised junction at East Hill, Pool last December. This has seen additional capacity provided at the East Hill and College junctions, reducing significantly the queues on the A3047 approaches from the A30.  Whilst there have been concerns expressed over occasional queuing on the road from Camborne, and the layout of the traffic lanes within the junction, Cornwall Council are assessing these issues and, if necessary, will make minor amendments to address these.  Works continue on paving footways, cycleways, and the centre reserve of this section of the A3047, and tree planting to create an avenue approach to East Hill is about to commence now that the worst of the winter cold weather has passed.

Graeme Hicks, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Planning said: "I am very pleased to see further progress on the development of these schemes which demonstrate the close working relationship between the Regional Development Agency and Cornwall Council, which are both committed to the long term sustainable regeneration of the Camborne Pool Redruth area.  These are complex schemes to design and construct and we should acknowledge the skills of our Council designers, and our construction organisation CORMAC, in delivering the project largely using local staff and suppliers."

Theo Leijser, the South West RDA's director for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "This is another step forward in unlocking regeneration potential in the CPR area, including the second phase of the Tolvaddon Energy Park where the RDA has bought around 30 acres of land that could eventually support hundreds of quality jobs."

Bill Radmore, Investment Director at CPR Regeneration, the Urban Regeneration Company for Camborne, Pool and Redruth said: "It is good to see this work moving forward to help in the regeneration of the wider area."

Subject to the completion of planning procedures, further highway works are expected to commence in May of this year to extend the Tolvaddon Business Park Spine Road and also to create a new link road off Dudnance Lane, Pool, to serve the proposed Trevenson Park South and Heartlands Developments.