National Highways is to invest in enhancements to the Cornish landscape alongside the A30.

National Highways has secured over £¾ million to work with Cornwall Wildlife Trust to deliver environmental and biodiversity schemes bordering the A30 in mid-Cornwall.

As part of its Designated Funding programme, National Highways has confirmed £785,000 from its Environment and wellbeing fund for the Trust to restore and recreate 16.8 hectares of woodland, orchard, grassland and heathland around Ladock to Gwills and Benhaven to Lambourne Mill, north of Truro.

The Environment Agency is also providing £50,000 towards the ‘green ribs’ projects, which will help to tackle decreasing biodiversity within the county by: creating and enhancing habitat areas for wildlife; improving the quality, condition and connectivity of landscape features in Cornwall

They will also mitigate severance impacts of the A30 by creating stronger habitat connections and safely channelling wildlife away from the road.

Baroness Vere, Roads Minister, said:

“It’s great to see Government money invested in boosting biodiversity in our beautiful Cornish countryside, alongside delivering these vital upgrades as we build on our commitments to build back both better and greener from the pandemic.”

Martyn Alvey, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, Cornwall Council, said:

“It’s great news that the Green Ribs project has secured further funding to continue delivery, creating vitally important habitat down the spine of Cornwall.”

Tom Shelley, Conservation Manager, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said:

“The Green Ribs project provides continued investment from National Highways to the Cornish landscape to help grow habitats and protect existing nature networks.”