Fresh calls for dual carriageway to bypass notorious stretch of Cornwall's A38
Campaign group, Safe 38, is calling on councillors and MPs in the Duchy to declare a 'Road Safety Emergency'
Safe38 is asking all Cornwall MPs, county councillors, and town and parish councillors to decalre a 'Road Safety Emergency' on the A38.
The campaign group says the stretch between Trerelufoot and Saltash is not fit for purpose, following a string of serious-injury and fatal crashes.
In a letter which was sent to the media in Cornwall ahead of the G7 summit on June 11-13th, the group asked for support in getting a proposal on the table to get the notorious stretch of road bypassed with a dual carriageway - as was planned over 30 years ago.
The group says proposals from Highways England that have been discussed within council stakeholders groups have so far ruled out this option in the pipeline projects to be consulted on in 2022, despite officers from Highways England themselves saying it would be the best solution.
Chair of the Safe38 group James Millidge said: "The section of the A38 between Saltash and Trerulefoot makes a compelling case for investment which is why after a hard-fought battle by a multitude of stakeholders it has been identified as a section of the Strategic Road Network that is in the pipeline for improvements between 2025-2030.
"It is not fit for purpose and the current plans to address the problem fall well short of what is needed.
"Highways England themselves have said that a dual carriageway bypass would be the ideal solution however they are not able to put that forward as an option to the public to be consulted on next year as the Department for Transport have defined the project in such a way that prohibits this.
"A new dual carriageway bypass would boost the local and regional economy to the tune of £900m in induced economic growth securing livelihoods, and will slash the collision rate saving the most amount of lives.
"Surely the residents of Cornwall and its visitors deserve better than the current scope of proposals. It does not represent a levelling up and does not appear to be building back better - that is why we are asking Cornwall's MPs and key stakeholders to support us in this bid to get a dual carriageway option back on the table by joining us in declaring a Road Safety Emergency for the A38".
Chair of Safe 38, James Millidge
The Safe38 group was formed in 2018 seeking to see the A38 become a safer road for all through a targeted integrated approach to road safety incorporating education, enforcement, engagement and engineering all underpinned by evidence.
They have been involved in discussions with Highways England and Cornwall Council ever since - even being invited to be part of the South West delegation presenting the Case for Action on the A38 to the Department for Transport in Westminster.
Letters to all key council and Westminster stakeholders have been sent out and as part of the call to action, councillors and councils are being asked to support the Safe38 campaign to improve the road for residents and visitors alike.
James Millidge added: "In a fortuitous introduction to the now Prime Minister Boris Johnson during that visit to Westminster, he stated to the group that he fully supports the need for investment in the A38. That investment is now vital for this stretch of road. We know it will take many years to develop plans to get a dual carriageway delivered but we must push for the best solution and we must push for that now".
Chair of Safe 38, James Millidge