A mine working collapsed yesterday less than a metre from the inside lane of the A30 at Scorrier. Both lanes of the westbound carriageway were closed, causing major disruption at rush hour, while the Highways Agency assessed the problem. It is likely that the hole appeared when loose earth and broken rock that had been blocking the working gave way and crashed down in to the depths below.
Our records show that this is probably not a shaft but something worse!
The collapse lies on a mineral lode that follows a straight line across the road. We believe that the workings form part of a very old mine called Wheal Truro (later part of Hallenbeagle Mine) although detailed records are poor. In the worst case the workings might extend right across both carriageways of the A30.
Listen to Pirate FM’s interview with our geologist Nic Pettett here.