A30 upgrade: Cornish hedging rebuilt

A multi-million pound upgrade to the A30 in Cornwall has taken an “environmental” turn as contractors build animal crossings and Cornish hedges.

Those behind the work said it was being designed with the hope of “leaving a lasting environmental legacy”.

As well as animal crossings and the relocation of heathland habitat – eight miles (13km) of traditional Cornish hedging is being built.

In 2022 the building of the walled hedges did not go to plan with the structures beginning to crumble.

Cornish hedges are traditionally 5ft (1.52m) high, stone-faced earth hedgebanks with bushes or trees growing along the top.

Members of the Guild of Cornish Hedgers have been on site teaching contractors how to get it right.

Nick Simmonds-Screech, National Highways project director said they had “constant supervision on site” to ensure that the selections of material were correct.

“We are also conscious of the weather conditions, last time we tried to build the Cornish hedge we had a huge amount of adverse weather which actually led to some of the build issues and build failures, we don’t have that these days.”

It is hoped the area will become a wildlife habitat for nesting birds and pollinators.

National Highways said 33 animal crossings were being installed on the stretch of road and efforts had been made to relocate half a hectare of heathland.

The agency said 150 reptiles had already been rehomed nearby.