National Highways plans to remove right turns across the central reservation at four junctions on the A38 between Liskeard and Trerulefoot. The move targets known collision hotspots to improve road safety.
Four junctions, £5m scheme
The junctions affected are Lean Quarry, Menheniot, Tencreek Cottage and Castle Air. National Highways estimates the scheme will cost between £5 million and £6 million. Detailed design work is expected in 2027/28 with construction targeted for late 2028/29. This timeline depends on securing funding and avoiding delays.
Why remove right turns?
Collision data over the past 20 years shows 39 injury crashes and four fatalities on this dual carriageway section. National Highways reports that serious and fatal collisions are 34% above the regional average from 2019 to 2024. Road safety manager Jack Mason says a significant number of these high severity collisions involve right turns across the central reservation.
Community concerns over impacts
Local group Safe38 welcomes some aspects of the proposal but calls it “half-baked”. Their main concern is the plan does not close the central reservation gaps completely. Safe38 highlights the Menheniot junction where removing the right turn could weaken links between communities north and south of the A38, including access to local amenities like Adrenalin Quarry and Menheniot railway station.
Safe38 advocates a grade-separated junction with a bridge and local access roads at Menheniot. This, they argue, would allow central reservation gaps to close while maintaining community and business connections.
National Highways stands by safety gains
National Highways says the scheme will improve safety and reduce collisions. It considers alternative solutions, including grade separation, as very expensive. The authority intends to collaborate with Cornwall Council on improvements to connecting roads to mitigate local access problems.
Balancing cost and connectivity
The debate highlights a common challenge in UK road safety schemes. Both sides agree on the risk posed by right turns across the dual carriageway but differ on the cost and complexity of effective solutions. Safe38 calls for a long-term plan, while National Highways prioritises reducing collisions within current funding constraints.
This A38 scheme is part of National Highways’ wider Cornwall junction safety programme, following earlier work on the A30. The plans proceed in line with ongoing efforts to enhance safety on strategic routes across the region.
