The chair of A38 campaign group Safe38, James Millidge, has written to South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd setting out the road safety campaign group’s concerns over proposed changes to the road between Liskeard and Trerulefoot in Cornwall.
The group says the proposed Safety Scheme falls short of what is needed on one of South East Cornwall’s busiest stretches of road, as a public consultation on the plans gets underway.
The consultation opened on Monday 5 October, with Safe38’s concerns focusing initially on what the scheme leaves untouched, says Cornish Stuff.
Mr Millidge has set out the group’s concerns in a letter to the MP, with the first point addressing the measures it says are missing from the proposals.
“We are also concerned that the scheme does not address what we believe to be one of the fundamental requirements for this section of the A38: the closure of the central reservation gaps. We are particularly concerned about the proposed removal of some of the right-turn movements, especially at Menheniot,” he said.
Safe38 says the proposed scheme provides neither a grade-separated junction nor a dedicated local access road. Mr Millidge argues that it removes some right-turn movements without providing an equivalent alternative route.
“There appears to be widespread agreement that, ultimately, what is required is a grade-separated junction together with appropriate provision for local access. This would enable the full closure of the vast majority of central reservation gaps and right-turn movements between Liskeard and Trerulefoot, while maintaining appropriate connectivity for local communities and businesses.”
“We are concerned that this could have significant and currently difficult-to-quantify consequences for the local road network and for businesses that rely upon existing access arrangements.”
The group is asking National Highways to reconsider the scheme and bring forward what James calls “an appropriate long-term solution”.
Safe38 says it welcomes money being spent on road safety. Its worry is about what the changes could mean away from the A38 itself.
Mr Millidge added:
“Whilst Safe38 welcomes investment in road safety, we believe that any safety scheme must improve road safety without having an adverse impact on the safety, security and livelihoods of the communities and businesses along the route.
“We are deeply concerned about the potential for increased traffic on unsuitable local roads, including rat-running, as well as the possibility of dangerous U-turn manoeuvres on the A38 when drivers are unable to make previously available movements.
“The potential impact on local businesses such as Adrenalin Quarry is particularly worrying, where access is an important consideration, including public access to Menheniot railway station.
“More broadly, we consider the scheme could sever or significantly weaken community links between areas to the north and south of the existing A38.”
(Picture: Mapillary)
