The bid to win permission for a £60 million project to upgrade one of the Westcountry's busiest roads has got under way.
Preliminary meetings have now been held over the proposals for the dualling of the A30 at Temple, near Bodmin.
Alan Gray, the inspector in charge of the planning inquiry, has begin his work and it is hoped that the process will be completed by next August.
Mick Martin, chairman of the A30 action group which campaigned for the road improvements, welcomed the fact that progress was now being made.
"There were times over the past seven years when I thought this day would never come," he said.
"We are here now and hopefully well and truly on our way."
Councillor Alex Folkes, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for finance and resources, said the scheme had the backing of the unitary council for very good reasons.
"A dual carriageway would provide a huge boost to our local economy and cut down on the tailbacks, delays and accidents on the A30 and in the surrounding villages.
"Cornwall Council came forward with a more efficient, less costly design which helped to persuade the Government to provide the rest of the money to make sure this project goes ahead.
"This scheme will be good for business and good for Cornwall's economy."
Chris Batters, Lib Dem councillor for the Lanivet and Blisland division, was at the preliminary meeting held in Bodmin.
He said: "Residents in villages and communities around this stretch of the A30 have put up with the delays and accidents for too long and
"I will continue to work with local people who want to see the road upgraded to make our area safer."
North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson added: "I have worked with local people and councillors for years to fight for the A30 at Temple to dualled.
"We refused to let things drop and with hard work, a good business case and a listening government we managed to secure much needed funding for the scheme.
"The sooner this stretch of road is upgraded to dual carriageway, the sooner local people, businesses, visitors and the Cornish economy will enjoy the benefits," he said.
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