A38 average speed cameras are going live soon

The A38 at Devon's border with Cornwall is set to have average speed cameras installed on either side, with the new measures expected to go live in the summer.

National Highways had urged the public to participate in a consultation regarding potential safety improvements along the A38 in South East Cornwall.

At that time, the agency emphasised that the A38 Trerulefoot to Carkeel Safety Package was among several schemes being developed nationwide for consideration under the Government's third Road Investment Strategy. The A38 serves as a crucial route within the South West Peninsula, connecting Bodmin to the west and Plymouth and Exeter to the east.

However, a higher than national average rate of collisions between the Trerulefoot and Carkeel roundabouts necessitated action to enhance safety along this section. Proposed measures included a combination of average speed cameras, improved road and junction layouts, upgraded bus bays, reduced speed limits, enhanced signage, lighting, and traffic signalling.

The public was invited to participate in the consultation and provide feedback on the proposals, which was then incorporated into the National Highway's report. In September 2023, PlymouthLive disclosed that there would be closures on the A38 and a reduction in the speed limit as part of the Saltash Tunnel upgrades, reports Plymouth Live.

The speed limit on the section from the Tunnel to the Carkeel roundabout has been reduced from 70mph to 50mph, with more drastic measures being enforced for the 30mph limit through the tunnel and on the B3271 and North Road detour routes.

National Highways' Tunnel Manager, Julian Mitchell, speaking to PlymouthLive, approximately said, "The speed reduction measures are much needed and we see the scheme as part of the overall programme."

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This stretch of the A38 witnesses a number of minor collisions due to motorists trying to slow down abruptly when approaching the tunnel and the Carkeel roundabout. There are also cases of vehicles exceeding the speed limit along the B3271 North Road detour route when the tunnel is closed.

There have been posts shared by motorists on social media about the installation of tall yellow poles. These will support the average speed cameras at both ends of the tunnel.

One motorist commented that workers had "been out overnight and put up the average speed camera poles either side of the saltash tunnel. I'm guessing in the next few days they will put up the cameras and the mobile money maker vans will be lurking in the lay-by at the top towards roundabout or on approach to the tunnel."

According to a spokesperson for National High quality ways, the speed constraints are now "enforceable between the tunnel and Carkeel roundabout".

They further stated: "The cameras will be going in over the next two weeks and will be calibrated by the end of May to early June". It has been revealed that the cameras will be fully operational from that time onwards.