Truro Northen Access Road is Now Open!

The Truro Northern Access Road (TNAR) marks a significant step forward in Cornwall’s infrastructure, creating a vital new route that will eventually connect into the wider Langarth Garden Village development and support long-term growth in the area. The road has been designed to ease traffic flow, and support future housing and community expansion, TNAR represents one of the most important road schemes delivered in the region in recent years.

From early-stage survey work through to final construction setting out, Kemp Chartered Land and Engineering Surveyors has played a key role in delivering precision and continuity across the project, supporting the successful build of this major transport corridor.

Kemp’s involvement began in 2019 with the initial topographical surveys, before going on to provide utility surveys, CCTV drainage surveys, and ongoing setting out support throughout the construction phase. This started with enabling works in late 2020, before the team mobilised fully on site in August 2022 as construction progressed in earnest.

Since then, Kemp has maintained a consistent on-site presence, with a dedicated team of around five surveyors working under the leadership of Project Survey Manager Sam Kemp. Reflecting on the project, Sam noted how rewarding it has been to contribute to a scheme of this scale and complexity, particularly given its long delivery timeline and collaborative working environment.

Throughout the construction phase, Kemp has delivered all setting out works across the scheme, ensuring accuracy and alignment across the evolving infrastructure. This has included the setting out of approximately 24.5km of kerbing, alongside extensive coordination of drainage, utilities, and structural elements across the site.

The project itself incorporates a highly complex range of infrastructure, including over 200 manholes, seven drainage systems, and the installation of a cutting-edge district heating main, all of which required precise coordination and ongoing surveying support to maintain programme and design integrity.

To support efficient delivery and real-time progress tracking, Kemp also carried out regular UAV (drone) surveys throughout the project. These provided up-to-date site data, enabling stakeholders to monitor progress, verify as-built conditions, and support ongoing design coordination. In addition, machine control systems were integrated into earthworks operations, helping to improve accuracy and efficiency across large-scale groundworks.

A key technical element of the scheme also included the careful setting out of wildlife mitigation measures, including badger crossings, ensuring the infrastructure was delivered in a way that safeguarded local ecology while maintaining programme requirements.

One of the most distinctive aspects of TNAR is its thoughtful layout, designed not just for vehicles but for multi-modal use, including dedicated provision for cyclists and pedestrians to safely and comfortably share the corridor alongside road traffic. This forward-thinking design will support active travel and sustainable movement through the area for years to come.

The project has also been notable for its predominantly local workforce, with delivery led by Cormac. Kemp worked closely alongside local teams throughout the scheme, providing surveying support as part of a wider collaborative delivery effort across Cornwall’s supply chain.

As TNAR links into the future Langarth Garden Village, it will become an important route for the area’s ongoing development. And for us at Kemp, this has been a great project to be involved in, and we’re proud to have played a part in its delivery.