Calls for more urgency to tackle A30 accident spot

A junction described as Cornwall's worst accident blackspot will have temporary safety measures in place for the "foreseeable future", National Highways says.

There have been three fatal crashes at Plusha junction on the A30 near Launceston in six months.

National Highways, police and Cornwall Council issued an emergency order in November to shut the junction, cut the speed limit and restrict right-turn traffic movements.

The Safer Plusha Action Group and local politicians said they were lobbying for a fully-graded junction at the site and there was not enough urgency. National Highways said safety was its priority, but a permanent solution was "subject to funding".

Jean Theobald, 88, died on 7 November after a two-vehicle collision on the westbound carriageway - the third fatality since May.

Adrian Parsons, Cornwall Council member for Altarnun and Stoke Climsland, said he feared National Highways was "fixed" on "working within their budget" and not working on something longer-term.

"It really is a matter of urgency that something permanent is put in place," he said.

Peter Allen, from the new Safer Plusha Action Group, said members would continue to lobby for a fully-graded junction.

He said: "I think, with the temporary measures, there is a real potential it could make things worse, particularly the way the cones are laid out. It's confusing to people."

North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire said he had been involved in talks and hoped "a spirit of team work and co-operation" could establish "essential safety works" and not just "improvement works".

"This isn't a nice to have, this is quite literally a matter of life and death," he said.

National Highways said staff were not developing a grade-separated junction but were working with Cornwall Council to understand traffic flows on surrounding roads.

They said the current measures would remain in place for the "foreseeable future" with a permanent solution "subject to funding".

They added: "Safety is our number one priority and, in September, we unveiled plans to implement a suite of safety measures along the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes.

"As part of the safety package, 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."

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