'Green bridge' completed for wildlife and walkers

14 hours ago

Lisa YoungCornwall

Andrew Alcorn said the bridge formed a route for wildlife, farmers, horse riders and walkers

National Highways The green bridge. One of the carriageways below it is empty of cars and has traffic cones running along the centre of it. In the foreground are perhaps 100 saplings freshly planted with protective sleeves around them. The banks leading up to the bridge are freshly planted with grass. — Andrew Alcorn said the bridge formed a route for wildlife, farmers, horse riders and walkers

A new "green bridge" spanning the A30 has been planted with saplings, grasses and wildflowers following dualling work.

As part of the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross upgrade, the 165ft (50m) long and 40ft (12.5m) wide Marazanvose bridge has been planted with hazel, hawthorn, holly, dog rose, wych and elder saplings.

Andrew Alcorn, programme manager for National Highways, said the bridge formed a route for wildlife, farmers, horse riders and walkers.

"We've built a total of 33 multi-species crossing points as part of the project and we look forward to seeing the bridge bloom for many years to come," he added.

Alcorn said about 87,000 tree saplings would be planted across the A30 landscape

National Highways Five men wearing hard hats, high-viz trousers and anoraks are planting saplings in protective sleeves on a bank edged with motorway fencing on a sunny day. — Alcorn said about 87,000 tree saplings would be planted across the A30 landscape

Listen to the latest news for Cornwall

Alcorn said further seeding and planting of grasses and wildflowers would take place on the bridge in the spring.

He said material for the top soiling work had been sustainably generated from the scheme's earthworks, with about 960 tonnes of soil laid across the bridge deck and embankments.

A total of 87,000 native trees would be planted across the A30 landscape, in addition to the green bridge planting, he added.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].