Aerial view of the new layout next to the A390

In order to secure the superb access links required by the masterplan, the development of the Truro Northern Access Road was essential. Cornwall Council accessed £47m from the Government to build the Northern Access Road which will run right through the garden village from the A390 in the west to the Treliske Hospital site in the east.

 Kemp teams from Surveying, Seeka and Setting Out are working alongside Cormac and have been on hand to support the design and construction of this key access route since 2019 when the initial topographic survey was undertaken. We are proud of the superb work delivered to date.  "This is a key piece of infrastructure for the development of the garden village," announced Olly Monk, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for housing and planning.

…The village is a major urban expansion led by Cornwall Council, with a £159 million masterplan behind it, the development will provide homes of all sizes for local people with an emphasis on creating a community to be proud of. In fact, the project has been so community-focused that students from Threemilestone primary school have been given the chance to weigh in and share their views on the plans! The project intends to become home to a diverse range of residents, from key workers and young families to elderly people and those living at home with disabilities. Residents will benefit from new schools, health and leisure facilities, and 117 hectares of beautiful green spaces - from orchards to playgrounds - within touching distance. 

Our UAV launching over the site

Seeka, with the Stream GPR during the Utility Survey

Prepping the surface

Ready for kerbs to be installed

Sam Kemp beginning the setting out process

The input from Kemps has spanned an aerial UAV survey to PAS128 utility surveys, covering all manner of above and below ground surveys. This work has been varied and interesting as the site is not without challenges - steep topography has required careful consideration, along with working at night within the highway and within the busy hospital area. Aerial surveys had to take consideration of the air ambulance service as well as Truro Airfield which is also in close proximity.

Richard Wherry, Principal Surveyor, led the topographic survey for the project. Rich utilised an aerial UAV survey which extended to include the Threemilestone park and ride (a Kemp project from 2009!) to gain important insights from above. Our setting out department got the excavators underway with the interim link road, and meanwhile below ground, the Seeka utility team completed PAS128 utility surveys at selected locations along the route, to further ensure smooth development of the road. 

As activity on site has steadily increased, Kemps have now placed a resident Engineering Surveyor, Sam Kemp, at Langarth to oversee all setting out, survey control and as built surveys. Sam is delighted to take the lead onsite after qualifying last year as a technical member of CICES and associate member of RICS.

Kemp are always keen to promote the development of talent within the company and offer sponsorship for employees to attain these all-important qualifications, something which many team-members have taken up over the years and which is reflected in the company being Investors in People and approved development partners of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

 Ultimately, Langarth Garden Village will provide a safe and happy home for thousands of local people. Kemps are thrilled to be a key part of a project that will bring happiness to so many people, and are looking forward to a visit to the woodlands and a stroll around the village when the project is completed.