A lack of funding for one of Cornwall’s most dangerous major roads – which last week saw vital safety work delayed – is “grossly unfair”. Cornwall councillor Armand Toms, who represents a community alongside the A38, believes the road has been unfairly overlooked compared to the A30 and the new St Austell link to A30 road.
Speaking at a meeting of Cornwall Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday, May 10, Cllr Toms said: “The A38 hasn’t been funded the same as the A30, which got £10m twice for dualling, and about £6m went to the link road between St Austell and the A30, and yet South East Cornwall and the A38, which is the driving force of our economy in that area, has had not one penny. I think that’s grossly unfair.”
The A38 runs from the eastern side of Bodmin, through the Glynn Valley to Dobwalls, Liskeard, the Saltash Tunnel and across the Tamar to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire and at 292 miles (470km) in length is the longest two-digit A road in England. It is infamous for being one of the most dangerous roads in Cornwall – in fact, it has one of the worst accident records of any A-road in the country. Locals have been pushing for a bypass between Carkeel and Trerulefoot since 1962, when the Tamar Bridge opened. It’s still not happened.
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After the Cabinet meeting, Mr Toms, the independent councillor for East Looe, said: “Years and years ago they put millions into dualling the A30 at the top of the county and have just done the same with the current work being done. They’ve done the same for St Austell but they’ve never done that for the A38. It peeves me – I’m as Cornish as the next guy and I see things going on to the north of me, to the west of me, but not around me.
“Quite simply, what I was asking the Cabinet to do was to please find some funding and carry out preparatory work so if money becomes available we can do the schemes because only two weeks ago there was another serous accident on the Looe turning on the A38. A lorry also hit the railway bridge at Trerulefoot recently … we’re having to put up with delays, traffic jams and all the other things which go with it as well as poor safety, and yet no one down in Truro seems to be taking it seriously.
“I’d like them to put a plan in place so we can go to the Government and say this is what we want done to make our people safe. We should have funding now because of the bad accident rate, not in seven years time. I’ve seen friends who have had accidents on the A38 – there have been boys from Looe who have had accidents and died on the A38. Why should I put up with that as a councillor when I see things like the three other road schemes get a chunk of money and go ahead? I’m angry about this.”
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Back in 2019, South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray said: “This road is dangerous. Hardly a week goes by when there is not an accident, often with loss of life. I had a lady in my office who had comforted a lady who died on the roadside. Action needs to be taken.”
More stories about the dangers of the A38
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National Highways had announced a package of measures including speed cameras, improved road and junction layouts, upgraded bus lay-bys, reduced speed limits, improved signage, lighting and traffic signalling. However, the Department for Transport said last week that the promised improvement work to the A38, which was due to take place between 2025 and 2030, had now been delayed as it “balances the books”.
The decision to delay work was met with an angry response in the area, with Kate Ewert, Labour councillor for the Rame peninsula and St Germans, saying: “To now find out that we’re not getting any of the safety measures in the foreseeable future is a massive blow to the residents of South East Cornwall.”
Lib Dem councillor Colin Martin, who represents Lostwithiel and Lanreath, said: “I’m absolutely appalled that the Conservative Government has ruled out funding any safety measures on the A38 until at least 2030. This road has one of the highest accident rates in the county and is in desperate need of critical safety improvements. National Highways are spending £24 billion on road improvements elsewhere, but can’t even find the cash for average speed cameras or a pelican crossing in South East Cornwall.”
Sheryll Murray said she will carry on “pushing” to get the work done as a matter of urgency.
Responding to Cllr Toms’ comments this week, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for transport Connor Donnithorne said: “There was disappointing news coming from government in terms of the work being delayed. I will continue to speak to the National Highways team to make sure we get those safety improvements we desperately need. The work isn’t cancelled, it’s delayed.”
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