A total of 65 SMEs have already registed their interest to take part in the A30 upgrade, with 60% of them from Cornwall.

Of the companies registered so far with contractors Costain, a large percentage are involved in civil engineering, building and civil works, security, facilities management and landscaping, together with other professional services such as business supply, hospitality catering, cleaning, environmental and waste management.

Josh Hodder, Senior Project Manager for the Highways England scheme, is delighted with the response so far and is encouraging even more businesses to get involved. He said: “The scheme has numerous benefits, not only in improving journey reliability, safety and local connectivity, but also in unlocking economic growth in Cornwall and the wider South West region.

“Employing local people will also bring economic benefits during the construction phase of the project, and we will also be engaging with local schools and colleges to inspire, offer support and advice and to promote careers within the industry.

“The scheme is not just limited to larger, national and international companies, we’re encouraged by the response so far, and we’re keen for more local and regional businesses to get the chance to work with the project. 2021 is going to be a big year for the A30 project and we urge businesses to get in touch now, so we can start to help them prepare.”

The company, responsible for England’s major A roads and motorways, is working closely with Costain, who are currently forming their own supply chain, providing opportunities for sub-contractors and sub-consultants to bid for work and become part of the extended supply chain.

Working with the Department for Work and Pensions and The Prince’s Trust, Costain is also looking to employ 10 people through the local Kick Start programme and is aiming to recruit 45 apprentices to work in various capacities as part of the project team.

John Lee, Senior Project Manager for Costain, said: “One of the key benefits of the new A30 will be to unlock economic growth in the area. We want our project to start this growth immediately, by employing local people and developing them in sustainable jobs our local communities can benefit straight away.

“Over the duration of the project, we will be engaging with young people, getting them thinking about a career in construction and if they’re interested giving them opportunities to learn and achieve their ambitions.

The move has been warmly welcomed by Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, who said: “I am delighted to see Highways England’s work on the A30 upgrade continue, with interest from companies across Cornwall in contributing towards this vital piece of infrastructure.

“It is also good to see Costain working with the local Jobcentre and Prince’s Trust by participating in the DWP’s new Kickstart Scheme and providing invaluable practical on-the-job training via apprenticeships for local people. This project will unlock economic growth and improve connectivity across Cornwall and I look forward to visiting again soon to see the progress.”

Highways England has also partnered nationally with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to provide free online training. This helps smaller companies to upskill and places them in a better position to tender for work on larger infrastructure projects, such as the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme.

The £330 million upgrade includes:

• a 70mph high-quality dual carriageway
• a two-level junction at Chiverton Cross and a new roundabout to ensure the free flow of traffic on the A30
• a new partial junction at Chybucca built on two levels with west-facing slip roads to provide access onto the dual carriageway from local routes
• new bridges at Tolgroggan Farm, Pennycomequick Lane and over the Allet to Tresawsen road to provide local access
• a two-level junction at Carland Cross with a new roundabout north of the dual carriageway and re-using the existing roundabout to the south
• keeping the existing A30 as a local route with new sections where necessary to provide continuity and connectivity for local communities.

Highways England reports the scheme is progressing, and once ground investigation and clearance work is completed, construction work on the new link roads at the Chiverton Cross junction will start in the spring, with earthworks and construction of the new route scheduled to start in late spring, early summer.

The cost of developing the scheme is being partly funded by an £8 million contribution from the European Regional Development Fund, with an additional £12 million for the construction phase. The remainder of the cost of developing and delivering the scheme is being funded by central Government.

More details around job opportunities are available at https://www.costain.com/careers/ and any companies interested in working on the A30 project are asked to register their details via email at [email protected].