Average speed cameras proposed for the A38

Average speed cameras could be installed on a section of the A38 in a bid to improve safety, while the speed limit on the road could also be reduced. National Highways has launched a public consultation for people to have their say on a potential programme of measures to improve safety along the A38 in South East Cornwall.

The A38 Trerulefoot to Carkeel Safety Package is one of a number of pipeline schemes being developed across the country for consideration by the Government for its third Road Investment Strategy. Following engagement with MP Sheryll Murray, Cornwall Council, parish councils, organisations and businesses over the last year, public feedback is being sought between to help finalise the package of works towards potential construction.

The A38 is an important route within the South West Peninsula, linking Bodmin to the west and Plymouth and Exeter to the East. But there are a higher than national average of collisions between the Trerulefoot and Carkeel roundabouts has prompted action to improve safety along this section.

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Following National Highways’ A38 safety study, proposals include the installation of average speed cameras at various locations along the route, improved road and junction layouts, including widening and crawling lane alterations, upgraded bus lay-bys, reduced speed limits at Tideford and Landrake, and improved signage, lighting and traffic signalling.

At Tideford, a village designated as an Air Quality Management Area, proposed measures would also aim to improve traffic flows and reduce stop/start vehicle movement.

THE PROPOSALS

· Average speed cameras would be installed along the route between Trerulefoot and Carkeel together with speed camera improvements at Tideford, Landrake and Notter to reduce speeds that are currently contributing to collisions. Their installation would also improve air quality and the environment by reducing emissions

· Better signage and lighting at Trerulefoot together with a lorry turning facility to prevent oversized lorries from blocking the low bridge. Improved signage with advanced warnings could reduce lorries using the single track roads in the area that is causing these roads to become congested

· Better road layouts with improved visibility at junctions, areas of localised widening, together with alterations to crawling lanes. These would reduce the number of collisions and near misses that currently take place and would further improve the flow of vehicles on this section

· Bus lay-bys would be improved or built at Tideford and Notter that would allow the public to access the local buses. Many existing bus stops are too small and in places inaccessible and are causing a risk to all road users. Parking lay-bys are to be improved at Carkeel

· Reduced speed limits at Tideford and Landrake together with a traffic light controlled junction at Landrake. This would reduce the collisions that currently take place and would allow people within the villages to cross the road more easily. The reduced speed would further help with air quality

Consultation documents add: “The A38 between the Trerulefoot and Carkeel roundabouts is often heavily congested. It is largely single carriageway and has few overtaking opportunities. Some junctions don’t have capacity for current traffic levels, particularly at Trerulefoot and Carkeel. This affects journey time reliability as overtaking slower moving trucks, agricultural and tourism vehicles is difficult.

“East of Trerulefoot roundabout the low Polmarkyn Railway Bridge requires some tall vehicles to slow down and manoeuvre to the middle of the road. This creates congestion in both directions. Truck drivers can miss the low bridge warning signs requiring them to turn around and use an alternative route, causing further delays.

“The A38 is a key strategic road that runs through villages, such as Tideford and Landrake, with properties fronting the road. A lack of safe crossing facilities and heavy traffic volumes makes it difficult for residents to cross the road. As a result, this divides these communities for most of the day. We are aware of school buses holding back traffic to help school children cross the road. The existing bus-stop lay-bys are not big enough for some of the buses.

“There is currently an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) at Tideford that extends outwards from the intersection of the A38 and covers most properties within the village. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations at Tideford exceed air quality limits because of stop/start traffic.

“The main source of these nitrogen emissions is the many heavy goods and diesel vehicles using the road. Road traffic noise from the A38 is an existing factor; there are eight locations including Tideford, Landrake and properties close to Trematon and Notter where noise levels need to be reduced.

“The route provides the only direct access between Plymouth and Bodmin and, if closed, results in a long diversion on the A30. The official diversion route for HGVs is via the A30 at Launceston. This diversion adds 15 miles and up to 18 minutes to a typical journey between Bodmin and Saltash.

“There have been 17 route closures as a result of collisions between 2015 and 2019, totalling over 62 hours of delays. Local roads are used during closures and these are not suitable for such levels of traffic. When the A30 is closed the signed diversion route includes the A38, which puts additional pressure on the road.”

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “We are considering how we can improve road safety conditions for all road users. The area has an unacceptably high collision rate and this is something we want to address. Alongside the safety issues, we are aware of traffic queues and air quality concerns in the villages in this area.

“The section being considered in this scheme has been the subject of road safety reviews in recent years. We have been working closely with Cornwall Council to identify a variety of safety improvements, both in relation to existing collision patterns, as well as proposals to make the road more reliable.

“The main objectives are to improve safety, reduce the frequency and severity of collisions on the A38 between Trerulefoot and Carkeel and improve safety for all road users. It would also improve capacity at bottlenecks and single lane sections, leading to improved journey times and journey time reliability, which will improve road user experience.”

They added: “Increased traffic flows will cause additional pressure on the road and its junctions’ capacity in the future. With the current levels of traffic on the A38 between the Trerulefoot and Carkeel roundabouts the current collision rate is above the national average. Without intervention, the forecast increase in traffic means this collision rate is likely to persist or worsen.”

An option of a dual carriageway was not taken forward because of the extensive disruption during construction, the significant environmental impacts and the expense of such a scheme. Strategically positioned bypasses were rejected as they were deemed not cost effective, would cause a greater disruption to traffic and local communities during construction, as well as the extensive environmental impacts

Local communities can now have their say and feedback on the proposals as part of the current consultation taking place within the Government’s second road investment period. Schemes selected for construction will be funded as part of the third road investment period beyond 2025.

Although no final decision has been taken on what schemes will go ahead, all feedback on the A38 Trerulefoot to Carkeel Safety Package will be analysed to inform the development process and National Highways’ ultimate consultation report for stakeholders and local communities.

People can drop in at a number of public information events in the coming weeks, and speak to members of the project team. The events are being held on:

· Wednesday, 15 June at Eliot Hall, St Germans (PL12 5NR), 3pm-8pm;

· Friday, 1 July at Saltash Guildhall (PL12 6JQ), 2pm-7pm;

· Saturday, 2 July at Saltash Guildhall (PL12 6JQ), 9am-2pm;

· Thursday, 14 July at Tideford Royal British Legion Club (PL12 5HW), 3pm-8pm;

· Friday, 15 July at Tideford Royal British Legion Club (PL12 5HW), 9pm-noon

The second of a seven-step process, consultation will also outline the scheme development processes and a questionnaire and further details are available here .

In addition, information will also be available throughout the consultation at the following pick-up points: Liskeard Post Office, The Parade, Liskeard PL14 6AA; Spar Community Shop, Menheniot, Liskeard PL14 3QR; Community Shop, Fore St, St Germans, Saltash PL12 5NR; Landrake Post Office, Tideford Rd, Landrake, Saltash PL12 5DP; Spar Community Shop, 47 Mote Park, Lower Burraton, Saltash PL12 4JY; Kernow Mill, Nr Trerulefoot, Saltash PL12 5BL.