Most dangerous A30 junction at Plusha partially closed following latest death

The most dangerous junction on the A30 has been partially shut in a bid to reduce the number of fatal crashes. Plusha near Launceston in North Cornwall holds the unenviable title as the most lethal stretch of road in Cornwall.

According to road accident figures from Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police, the worst accident blackspot in the county is Plusha on the A30, with 12 personal injuries recorded over the last five years, including four serious and eight slight injuries.

That number has sadly gone up after a man died in August at the Plusha junction, and an elderly woman was also killed in a collision at the accident blackspot earlier this week. The woman in her 80s died at the scene following an 8.25am collision between two vehicles on Thursday (November 7).

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There have been renewed calls for the deadly junction to be overhauled, something National Highways, which looks after the A30 and A38 in Cornwall, has said it will do.

Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, said it was high time the issue was addressed, adding: "Enough is enough. There has been a record of failure for too long on this issue, and now, more than ever, we need to come together to solve this accident blackspot.

“We need a graded junction, and we need to get everyone around the table to find a long-term solution. Having written to local residents recently, encouraging them to give me their views, I will continue to work closely with the Highways team, and the local parish and Cornwall councillors."

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National Highways unveiled a set of improvement programmes in September with a view to improving six junctions on the A30 at Plusha, Trevell, Two Bridges, Blackhill Quarry, Polyphant and the Highways maintenance depot. Among the proposals are junction modifications, improvements to road alignment and visibility, improved signage and road markings.

Following the latest fatality, Ed Halford, National Highways route manager, confirmed the deadly Plusha junction will have speed restrictions installed, and drivers will no longer be able to turn right when travelling eastbound.

He said: "Safety is our number one priority, and our thoughts are very much with the families and friends of all those affected by this tragic incident on the A30 while we work with police partners to fully understand the cause.

"In September, we unveiled plans to implement a suite of safety measures along the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes. As part of the safety package, we’ve been liaising closely with our police and local authority partners to identify a number of interventions aimed at improving safety and reducing the number of incidents.

“In agreement with Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council, we are now restricting right-turn traffic movements and reducing the speed limit at the Plusha junction while we investigate a potential permanent solution."

Right turn movements are now restricted from the B3257 to the A30 eastbound. From the A30 eastbound, traffic can still access the B3257 via a right turn.

National Highways has also confirmed that as part of a temporary traffic order, a 50mph speed restriction has also been installed on the A30 between the Two Bridges and Altarnun junctions.

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