Consultation launches on how to make busy west Cornwall road safer

Improvements are being planned for the A3071 between St Just and Penzance

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 26th Jan 2022
Last updated 26th Jan 2022

A consultation is underway on how to make a busy road in west Cornwall safer.

People are being invited to give their views on proposed road safety improvements on the A3071 between St Just and Penzance.

The Council successfully bid for government funding from the Safer Roads Fund and now a ÂŁ1.9million improvement plan for the section between St Just and Mount Misery Roundabout is out for consultation.

Residents and local stakeholders, including councillors and the emergency services, are being asked for their thoughts.

Proposed improvements for the section of the A3071 include:

• Improvements to existing pedestrian refuge crossing points

• Improvements to existing and the installation of new footways

• Vehicle activated signs to act as a visual cue and reminder to road users of the speed limit

• Junction visibility improvements

• Village gateway features to remind drivers they are entering a 30mph limit, including signs and road markings

• Widening the road at specific points to accommodate right turn lanes

Read the full list of proposals for the A3071 safety improvements and take part in the consultation online.

The Government’s Safer Roads Fund was established to put in place remedial road safety measures on sections of the 50 highest risk local A-road in England as determined from a study of collisions by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).

The funding will be used to deliver as many of the proposed road safety measures as possible, within the budget available, aiming to remove known risks and ultimately the occurrence of fatal and serious collisions and injuries over the next 20 years. 

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport Philip Desmonde said: “We’re committed to improving the safety of the road network in Cornwall for the benefit of all road users.

“Your views on the proposed A3071 Safer Routes first scheme of St Just to B3306 Junction will help us to prioritise the proposals we have developed for the A3071, which include new footways, improved crossing points and various traffic calming features to improve road safety and prevent collisions along the route.”

Councillor Brian Clemens, Cornwall Councillor for Land’s End, said: “The proposals are a great improvement on the current situation and I hope they will contribute to making the road safer for all. Ultimately, drivers need to slow down and respect the speed limits in place in built up areas.”

Councillor Andrew George, Cornwall Councillor for Ludgvan, Madron, Gulval and Heamoor, said: “The opportunity to invest in improvements in this vital route is unlikely to be repeated for decades, so it’s important that our local communities take full advantage and respond to the consultation. There are some locations en route which represent regular and significant danger. I’m determined that measures are taken to improve safety. The next few weeks are a golden opportunity for local residents and road users to offer their advice and suggestions.”

The consultation runs until 3rd February 2022.

Taking into account feedback from the consultation, work is due to begin in Autumn 2022.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.