Can new roads help deliver sustainable development? Martin Davey Site Manager East Cornwall By-pass operation for the Wild Heart of Cornwall – Goss Moor and the A30

The Issues concerning the A30 and Goss Moor, a Natura 2000 site in Cornwall: An inadequate transport link through Mid Cornwall causing congestion in local villages

A Natura 2000 site bisected by a major trunk road involving 25,000 traffic movements a day

Former mining communities blighted by traffic congestion and challenging socio- economic conditions.

The proposed transport solution: A catalyst for change An opportunity to realise sustainable development

The added value to a transport solution: All roads lead to RIO (Rural Issues and Opportunities project)

RIO was about establishing new partnerships: MOST IMPORTANTLY – Talking to partners at an early stage Recognise different interests Recognise differing levels of interest Identify areas of mutual interest. Agreeing common aims.

By identifying the wider issues and opportunities for people and wildlife arising from moving a major trunk road outside of a Natura 2000 site.

What could this new partnership deliver together? 1.An improved and realigned trunk road link.

2.A functioning ecological landscape

3.New opportunities for livestock farmers

4.New transport, public access and enjoyment opportunities

So how was this delivered? - By a strong partnership levering in additional funding: HA - £25k EN - £10K EA - £55K CCC - £20K £110K This has levered in: an additional £980K of EU LIFE funding. An additional £336K of funding for the multi-use trail £1.316M

1.Secure funding for wider biodiversity benefits Mid Cornwall Moors LIFE Project

2.Respond to opportunities identified by local communities e.g Development of a new multi-use trail

3.Supporting the local economy e.g. enhance business opportunities within the local community

4.Sharing best practice with: Ecologists Planners Road Engineers

So can new roads help deliver sustainable development and greater biodiversity? A30 road scheme has demonstrated that: Partners with different interests can work together towards common aims. Partnerships can deliver and develop into more permanent relationships. That roads are about more than just traffic flow. That major infrastructure projects can be used as catalysts for positive change. That roads can lever in funding for environmental, social and economic delivery. That new roads can be welcomed by local communities where they deliver real environmental and recreational gain.

Lessons learnt (from a Site Manager’s perspective) Good support from Brussels, partners and colleagues essential. Clear EU rule book does actually help. Very important to have support, understanding and communication at all levels within your own organisation and partner organisations. Unforeseen things can happen e.g. Currency exchange rates, foot and mouth disease……..Very important to let Brussels know straight away. Many nature reserves have evolved slowly over decades. LIFE funding has accelerated the development of Goss Moor into five years, so………….. Important to be clear about what you want to do from the outset BUT also grasp unforeseen opportunities as they arise. All about people: the right people in the right place at the right time can lead to………………………………

A win-win solution for traffic, people and wildlife……and there are still further opportunities to explore.....!