The study of British and Irish roads - their construction, numbering, history, mapping, past and future official roads proposals and general roads musings.
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Looks like they now have a main contractor, so hopefully work will start before long.
I'd be surprised if this starts in Spring - never good starting during bird nesting season...
February 29th was the last day allowed for hedge work so now nothing in this respect can be done until the end of August (unless the hedges have already been covered with nets to prevent nesting). I suppose that the contractors could spend the time on tasks like setting up compounds, completing any demolition and finishing any remaining topography or ground surveys.
I suppose that the contractors could spend the time on tasks like setting up compounds, completing any demolition and finishing any remaining topography or ground surveys.
Ian (M5 Driver)
Also I think normally for the 1st few months of a scheme, a lot of the work is moving utilities. Not sure what exactly, but presumably there will be a lot of telephone cable, electrical cables etc. I presume they need to re-route pretty much all of them, so that they are out of the way, and don't get cut off, when construction really gets under way.
The Temple scheme officially started in March (I think), but construction didn't really seem to get started until June.
I suppose that the contractors could spend the time on tasks like setting up compounds, completing any demolition and finishing any remaining topography or ground surveys.
Ian (M5 Driver)
Also I think normally for the 1st few months of a scheme, a lot of the work is moving utilities. Not sure what exactly, but presumably there will be a lot of telephone cable, electrical cables etc. I presume they need to re-route pretty much all of them, so that they are out of the way, and don't get cut off, when construction really gets under way.
The Temple scheme officially started in March (I think), but construction didn't really seem to get started until June.
I am going to guess that no major roadworks will take place until September as the tourist season is starting up again in Easter and this road is a main corridor whatever the speed/congestion it has. Cornwall rarely has issues with snow/frost so construction during the winter should be "slightly" easier than "up-country". That saying an awful lot of rain falls there, and usually horizontal!
I am going to guess that no major roadworks will take place until September as the tourist season is starting up again in Easter and this road is a main corridor whatever the speed/congestion it has.
I don't think affecting the existing traffic is a significant issue. Most of the new A30, and the new structures, are offline. So they could be largely built without affecting the existing traffic.
I think people tend to jump to conclusions blaming construction works for the congestion. Often the congestion problems were already there, as they were the main reason for the construction works.
Costain signed the contract today with Highways England. Work will begin once the lockdown ends
I was wondering if Corona would affect it. Do you have any links to stories about this ?
I notice (on Facebook) that the big A14 scheme seem to be continuing.
I would have thought the existing schemes are continuing to work the M4 smart motorway is , which I see when I cycle over it.
Given this is a new scheme, politically it makes sense until the lockdown eases especially given Cornwall CC's announcements to stay away. It is likely a large part of the site team would be from outside the county anyway.
Probably start in the summer a 6 to 8 week delay on the project for a 2 year scheme, isn't to bad. Look on the bright side at least the contract is signed and ready to go, how many new schemes will be mothballed to fund this crisis.
Look on the bright side at least the contract is signed and ready to go, how many new schemes will be mothballed to fund this crisis.
Although I'm thinking, how much would it cost to get out of a contract. So I will be happier once a significant amount of construction is under way.
It is one of those projects that are so far advanced it will continue. I would have thought however that the St Austell to A30 link road that is being funded by Cornwall County Council will not go ahead as all councils will be even more cash strapped than before the virus lockdown. The council has also a lot of money invested in Newquay airport which has lost most of its routes with FlyBe collapsing.
I should add that this is the main works. They say they are already doing some preliminary works. Well I seem to remember that the Temple scheme took a few months to really get going. Saying the Autumn seems a fair bit longer than that, but perhaps that is partly due to Corona.
Did Chiverton Cross to Carland Cross on the way home yesterday. Not less than 40 mph throughout and no queue at either roundabout, which I found pleasantly surprising given the sheer number of people who were in Cornwall for the week. I did leave a little earlier than normal as Covid-19 brought exit time for the rented property forward by an hour, but still. Given that people may be put off/prevented from taking foreign holidays for some considerable time and Cornwall seems like very many people's alternative, hopefully there are no problems in getting this done within the expected time-frame.
