Concern over 'cut-price' plan to fix A30 blackspot

Plans to improve the safety of one of Cornwall's most dangerous junctions have been criticised as "cut-price".

National Highways has proposed a range of measures for the Plusha junction and five others to improve conditions along the A30 near Launceston.

According to Cornwall Council figures released in June, the Plusha junction is the county's worst accident blackspot.

National Highways said it had worked closely with the local authority to identify what could be done to improve road safety.

The five other junctions targeted by the Kennards House to Five Lanes scheme include Trevell, Two Bridges, Blackhill Quarry, Polyphant and the highways maintenance depot.

It said the scheme could see the partial closure of some junctions for better traffic flow, improvements to road alignment and visibility, as well as improved signage and road markings.

Liberal Democrat councillor Adrian Parsons, who represents Altarnun and Stoke Climsland, said work to improve the junction was long overdue but he called for a better solution.

"National Highways are looking to implement a cut-price scheme that I don't think will serve any of us who live locally well," he said.

"For me the only real solution would be a separated graded junction."

The council figures showed there had been 12 injuries - four serious and eight minor - at the Plusha junction in the five years to June.

There have also been three fatalities on the A30 at Plusha since the figures were compiled.

National Highways' A30 route manager Ed Halford said: "As part of our study, we've analysed 10 years of safety data, investigated traffic flows and movements around junctions on the A30 and adjoining slip roads, and reviewed current speed limits to identify a number of short and longer term design options.

"We've been liaising closely with our police and local authority partners to identify a number of interventions aimed at improving safety and reducing the number of incidents."

The agency is holding an engagement event at the Lewannick Village Hall near Launceston from 14:00 to 18:45 BST to discuss the plans.

Farmer Ian Scott was also unconvinced by the proposals.

"Statistics confirm how dangerous it is, it's the biggest accident blackspot in Cornwall," he said.

"The proposals to focus on the junctions pushes the problem from the National Highways desk to the desks of Cornwall Council and local community representatives, and makes the surrounding roads more dangerous."

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, said he had met National Highways officials to discuss the proposals.

"I'm afraid I do still have some concerns that the problem is being pushed elsewhere," he said.

"So there is a danger with the plans they've proposed that traffic could be displaced into rural villages."

National Highways said, depending on funding, the project could be delivered by next summer.