AN underpass on the new stretch of the A30 – which raised eyebrows due to its close proximity to a bridge with the same function – is already being filled in.

National Highways has confirmed that the tunnel at Chiverton has proved redundant and will be bricked up.

Constructed at the outset of the A30 dualling project in 2021, the underpass near the Chiverton junction was one of 13 structures constructed over and under the new dual carriageway. It was followed last year by a £2.68m bridge just 450 metres away.

The National Highways underpass was intended for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, which was also the purpose of the bridge, a Cornwall Council project, which is part of the Saints Trails and replaced the former Chiverton ‘Chivvy’ Cross roundabout. At the time, some locals questioned the logic of building both a tunnel and a bridge so close together, suggesting it was a waste of money.

In 2022, there was concern among potential users that the underpass would be too daunting to use when plans for the Cornwall Council bridge were momentarily in doubt. Speaking at the time, Sally Hosking said: “I can’t really understand the logic of wasting money on the underpass which isn’t going to be safe and probably won’t get used instead of a proper bridge.”

Work has now started on the infilling of the underpass with bricking-up work and landscaping to be completed later this year. It is not yet known how much the underpass project – and its infill – will have cost.

A spokesperson said: “National Highways always scrutinises costs on any project to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. As the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme is ongoing, we will not have finalised costs until completion and final account.”

Truro resident Phil said: “Are you aware that the hugely expensive cycle tunnel at Chiverton Cross that Highways made a big song and dance about being a huge project at the start of the A30 dualling is being bricked up? I had to drive past a second time to make sure what I thought I saw was right.

“They’ve been doing this for the last two months at God knows what cost, surely it would be just as cheap to finish it and open it?”

After contacting National Highways for comment, Andrew Clark, its senior project manager on the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme, said: “One of the key benefits of the A30 upgrade is to improve and increase connectivity for local communities living alongside the route.

“Cornwall Council’s bridge at Chiverton, opened in April 2024, forms part of the wider Saints Trails initiative funded by National Highways and is already offering excellent provision for cyclists, horse riders and other non-motorised users to cross the busy A30 route.

“The Chiverton underpass has now been superseded by the construction of the Saints Trail bridge and with the agreement of Cornwall Council we have taken the decision to infill the underpass and point non-motorised users to the bridge, which is just 450 metres away.

“The infilling of the underpass at Chiverton will remove a maintenance liability for National Highways, and future costs, and will also eliminate areas that could otherwise potentially attract anti-social activities in the future.”

As part of the planning process, National Highways is despatching the underpass from its Development Consent Order requirements and has been keeping all stakeholders, including Cornwall Council, informed.