15 April 2024

• Sustainable bridge over the A30 will more than triple biodiversity  

Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has successfully completed the detailed design and construction of a new traffic-free bridge over the A30 dual carriageway just outside Truro.  

On Saturday 13 April, the 48-metre Chiverton bridge opened to the public, providing a safe crossing point for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders and a significant boost for local connectivity.  

Cornwall Council led on the design and delivery of the bridge using the final round of European Regional Development (ERDF) funding.  

Key benefits of the scheme include: 

• Achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating for its commitment to sustainability. 

• Saving approximately 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2e) - a 30% reduction compared to the concept design. 

• Creating habitats which will result will in nearly 220% Biodiversity Net Gain. 

• Removing 18 tonnes of steel from the bridge design, equating to approximately 50 tCO2e. 

• Maximising use of low carbon cement and repurposed excavated materials. 

The bridge began construction in Summer 2023 and forms part of a wider walking, horse-riding, and Cycling (WHC) scheme, the Saints Trails, which aims to improve non-car user connectivity, promote active lifestyles, and contribute to Cornwall's environmental goals.  

Andy Clarke, director for integrated transport at Costain, said: “This fantastic new bridge is a gamechanger for active travel, encouraging people to make more sustainable journey choices. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders are now able to enjoy the benefits of this important stretch of the Saints Trails, something which the local community enthusiastically campaigned for. In addition to the sustainability benefits both during delivery and beyond, the new bridge addresses previous safety concerns and improves local access.” 

Richard Williams-Pears, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: “The opening of the bridge represents a significant achievement for the teams working across multiple projects and funding streams to secure a legacy for Cornwall for generations to come. It’s a great example of what can be achieved by partnership working between the Council, National Highways and our delivery partner Costain. I’d particularly like to congratulate the Truro Cycle campaign group who lobbied over a number of years to make sure this happened, and how great it is to see this come to fruition. And while the last section of the Saints Trail between Penstraze and West Langarth is not yet complete, it’s great to see the bridge now open and providing that important link to support residents to make more sustainable journeys between communities, and for anyone else wanting to cross the A30.” 

Read our case study to find out more.

 

Media enquiries: George Parrett [email protected]  

 

Notes to editors 

About Costain  

Costain helps to improve people’s lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet thrive. We shape, create, and deliver pioneering solutions that transform the performance of the infrastructure ecosystem across the UK’s energy, water, transportation, and defence markets.  

We are organised around our customers anticipating and solving their challenges and helping to improve performance. By bringing together our unique mix of construction, consulting, and digital experts we engineer and deliver sustainable, efficient, and practical solutions.