Works to improve the existing Station Approach junction on the A30 trunk road at St Erth are due to begin next month.

The works form part of the larger St Erth Multi-Modal Hub project which will connect the Cornwall rail mainline, A30 trunk road, St Ives rail park and ride service and the Cornwall bus network, to offer more travel choices for local residents and visitors, as well as reduce reliance on private car transport.

Works on the junction will include the installation of traffic lights and a signal controlled pedestrian crossing. During the works two-way traffic will be maintained at all times during the daytime with single lane traffic planned for limited periods during night time hours only.

To ensure the safety of road users and workers, the speed limit will be reduced to 30mph during these works. Given the changes to the road layout when the junction is complete, Highways England has asked that a permanent 30mph limit is applied to this stretch of road. Highways England will undertake a public consultation on the speed limit before the works are finished.

Works will include the amendments to the existing junction on the A30 trunk road as well as a pedestrian ramp from the south car park to platform level and improvements to the railway station forecourt.

More than 500 car parking spaces will be created, 440 to the south of the Multi-Modal Hub and 100 spaces to the north. The new parking facilities will include ticket vending facilities, CCTV, cycle storage facilities and electric car charging facilities. There will also be drop off/pick up areas and bus facilities located outside the hub to provide easy access to the Multi-Modal Hub.

Councillor Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport, said: “This project will support our residents to commute into and out of West Cornwall to access jobs and to be able to enjoy the fantastic environment.

"It also has the added bonus of enhancing the transport offer to the tourists we welcome each year which should reduce congestion on the roads.”

Councillor Lionel Pascoe, Cornwall Councillor for Gwinear-Gwithian and St Erth, added: “Owing to the New Multi Modal Hub at St Erth station, there is a urgent need to improve the main A30 from the roundabout to the station. This will be an inconvenience for some time, but in the long term it will be a massive improvement.”

More information about the project can be found at cornwall.gov.uk.