Protestors to gather near Cornwall's A30 on National Road Rebellion Day
Environmental campaigners are fighting against the Chiverton to Carland Cross dualling scheme
Protestors are set to gather near to the A30 as they campaign against a big dualling project in Cornwall.
As part of National Road Rebellion Day, protestors in the Duchy will meet in a field near Zelah Bridge on Saturday (29th January).
The campaigners from Roads Rebellion, part of Extinction Rebellion, are fighting against the £330m dualling of the A30 from Carland to Chiverton Cross, which they say is destroying fields and harming the environment.
Across the country the group is rebelling against the Government’s Road Building Programme.
Speaking about the A30 dualling scheme, a Roads Rebellion group spokesperson said: "The government has started to cancel some road projects even at the 11th hour and can change this design. We demand a halt to this particular road.
"Road Investment Strategy 2 projects will cost £27 billion in total. The Department for Transport did not make public any CO2 emissions forecast for Cornwall’s new 8.7 mile road at public consultation/design stages. These estimates, combined with others around the UK are likely to be out a factor of 100, an expert witness in the High Court has said.
"This grave error in calculations means that we, the public deserve a rethink on new roadbuilding, proper scrutiny of the mistaken decisions to build alongside an existing 30 year-old road, close to a village, rather than widening it. We demand a HALT NOW.
"The emissions from transport, new road building, induced traffic and increased speed impact the environment more than from any other sector and have not reduced since 1990. We can reverse this dreadful legacy."
However National Highways say the scheme is wildlife-friendly and is designed to help protect the environment.
A total of 33 multi-species crossing points are being constructed to assist the habitats and journeys of animals such as otters, badgers, bats and reptiles.
Following extensive ecological surveys, new badger setts and tunnels have been created and work has started on the animal crossing points, including 11 underbridges, two overbridges, five drainage culverts and two dry tunnels, for otters and other species.
There will also be a ‘green bridge’ at Marazanvose.
Speaking in May 2021, Josh Hodder, Highways England Senior Project Manager said: “We’re really proud of the work we are undertaking to protect and enhance the ecology and environment in the area, and we’re currently forecasting a net gain of over 10% in biodiversity as part of the work we’re doing on the scheme.
“We’ve worked with and listened to local communities throughout the consultation and planning process, and informed by a wealth of feedback, the design of the road has been carried out in the most sympathetic way for both local people, the travelling public, wildlife and the environment.
“Highways England has also funded a number of environmental projects around the location of the scheme and this is something we’re also proud to be involved with and which will have long-lasting benefits for Cornwall.”
In terms of environmental mitigation, the scheme will also see:
• Over 28 miles of new drainage constructed to protect the local area and water courses
• Ponds constructed to store and control the flow of surface water and address pollutants from the road
• The construction of eight miles of Cornish hedge, representing a net gain of nearly seven miles of Cornish hedges
• The planting of species rich grassland and trees native to Cornwall, blending the new with the old
• No artificial lighting on the main route or at junctions, removing any light pollution from the new road
• The construction of earth barriers and sound-absorbing fencing at key locations to reduce noise impact of the new road