Case For Action

‘A38 Menheniot Junction in Cornwall is not fit for purpose and efforts to get improvements there started back in 2006. It was designed in the 1970s and is well known as a cluster site for fatal and serious collisions. There are many engineering flaws with it including right-hand turns across a busy dual carriageway, an inadequate central reserve gap resulting in trailers and lorries sticking out into the carriageway, all making it a priority for modernisation. Lost lives and unplanned closures result in a high cost for people and the local economy. 

In 2016 plans were developed which combined improvements to this and Lean Quarry junctions with provision of a local access road between them stopping right-turn manoeuvres by closing the central reserve gaps. In addition to removing hazardous vehicle movements this new junction would also dramatically improve cycling and pedestrian access too. Despite being a junction priority for Highways England it is today still unfunded in the Road Improvement Strategy 2 for 2020-2025 (RIS2).

So today, in our first column we are asking you all to get involved in our campaign to get the Menheniot and Lean Quarry Junctions improved. We will be shortly releasing details of a parliamentary petition you can sign on our FB page and webpage. Please do write to your MP or the Secretary of State for Transport to voice your concerns regarding this inaction which will undoubtably cost lives. In the meantime, we can all take care on the roads as safer roads start with our own driving. Thank you.’

James Millidge, Chair