Drivers who use Cornwall’s A30 are being warned to expect months of delays and diversions as a £9.8 million safety scheme is delivered.

National Highways said the work between Kennards House to Five Lanes was vital to make some of the dangerous junctions along the route safer, says the BBC.

It includes the Plusha junction, which as been named as Cornwall’s worst for accidents, with three fatalities in 2024 alone.

Cornwall Councillor Adam Paynter said the works could have been “planned better” as cars diverting to avoid long tailbacks were causing “real problems” for villagers along the stretch.

The work started on September 5 and is focused on six junctions: Plusha, Trevell, Two Bridges, Blackhill Quarry, Polyphant and a highways maintenance depot.

A spokesperson for National Highways said the aim was to improve road safety and divert traffic flows to more suitable junctions, while providing mitigation on local roads.

In the village of Tregadillett, Desmond Emmett said there was a noticeable increase in traffic since the roadworks started.

“It’s causing gridlock at times in our village because people think they’re saving time coming through here, but they’re not saving any time at all,” he said.

Independent councillor for Launceston North and North Petherwin Paynter said he had warned National Highways “they needed to do more” to lessen the impact of the closure of one lane both ways on the A30 and a lengthy official diversion.

“If there was a smaller amount of road closure on the A30 that would make a big difference, ” he said.

“They are coning off the whole length to do different bits. It would be better if they closed only the sections they are working on rather than the whole stretch.”

(Picture: Mapillary)