As we reported on Friday, campaigners pressing for improvements to the A38 through South East Cornwall met transport minister Christopher Grayling on his visit to the county.

A cross party group of councillors and MPs presented him with a report entitled ‘A38 Case for Action’.

South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray chaired a group which involved a cross party group of councillors, Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council, Highways England, the Tideford-based SAFE38 group, the Local Enterprise Partnership and local business groups. 

Their resulting ‘A38 Case for Action’ outlines the wider economic case which claims a nearly £900 million increase in productivity growth and induced investment could be gained through improving the A38 between Bodmin and Exeter. 

This includes the reduction in congestion which is suffered along this road.

Mrs Murray said: ‘This road is dangerous.  Hardly a week goes by when there is not an accident often with loss of life. 

‘Recently it was reported that we saw four die in one month. Recently I had a lady in my office who had comforted a lady who died on the roadside. Action needs to be taken.

‘The A38 is the main route into and out of my constituency. 

‘In the East it is the main link to Plymouth, the nearest main city to my constituency, to Devon and the rest of the UK. 

‘In the West it is the gateway to the rest of Cornwall which is important for tourism and for local people to access services like the local unitary council. 

‘On top of this the A38 is the main artery through the constituency with many internal South East Cornwall journeys involving this road. 

‘I wholeheartedly support the Case for Action for the A38, the potential that can be unlocked from improved air quality, road safety and significant economic development will be visibly momentous. 

‘I am grateful to the local authorities, Highways England and the Local Enterprise Partnership for the funding of this study.’

Local MPs have backed the call.  In a joint statement George Eustice, Derek Thomas, Sarah Newton, Johnny Mercer,  Scott Mann, Steve Double and Gary Streeter said, “Connectivity is a key economic driver and the case for action to bring improvements to A38 between Exeter and Bodmin are critically important for the areas we represent.

‘Improvements to the A38 will help unlock our economic potential and building a road network in the South West of England, fit for the 21st century, has our full support. 

‘It is important that we have resilience of our road transport system and the A38 is an important alternative to the A30.’