A £6 MILLION plan to improve safety on the A38 between Liskeard and Trerulefoot has been branded “half-baked” by a road safety campaign group.

Safe38 chairman James Millidge has called on National Highways to scrap the proposals and develop what he describes as “an appropriate long-term solution”.

His warning comes as a public consultation on the proposed Liskeard to Trerulefoot Safety Scheme gets under way.

The scheme, estimated to cost between £5m and £6m, is expected to enter detailed design in 2027/28, with work targeted for late 2028/29, subject to funding and no delays.

However, Safe38 says the proposals fail to tackle one of the biggest safety issues on the route – central reservation gaps and right-turn movements.

Collision figures for the Menheniot junction between 2012 and 2024 record one fatal collision, three serious injuries and nine slight injuries.

National Highways has compared the figures with the notorious A30 junction at Plusha, near Launceston, where there were three fatal, seven serious and 10 slight injury collisions over the same period.

Mr Millidge has written to South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd outlining the group’s concerns.

“We are also concerned the scheme does not address what we believe to be one of the fundamental requirements for this section of the A38: the closure of the central reservation gaps,” he said. “We are particularly concerned about the proposed removal of some of the right-turn movements, especially at Menheniot.

“There appears to be widespread agreement that, ultimately, what is required is a grade-separated junction together with appropriate provision for local access.”

Safe38 says this would allow the majority of central reservation gaps and right turns between Liskeard and Trerulefoot to be closed while maintaining access for communities and businesses.

However, the current scheme provides neither a grade-separated junction nor a dedicated local access road.

National Highways says grade-separated options are not currently viable because of funding constraints and are not considered value for money, although they could be introduced in the future.

Mr Millidge fears removing existing turning movements without equivalent alternative routes could create new problems.

“We are concerned this could have significant and currently difficult-to-quantify consequences for the local road network and for businesses that rely upon existing access arrangements,” he said.

He warned of “increased traffic on unsuitable local roads, including rat-running”, as well as potentially dangerous U-turns on the A38 when drivers are unable to make previously available movements.

Safe38 also highlighted access to Adrenalin Quarry and Menheniot railway station, warning the scheme could weaken links between communities north and south of the A38.

“Whilst Safe38 welcomes investment in road safety, we believe any safety scheme must improve road safety without having an adverse impact on the safety, security and livelihoods of the communities and businesses along the route,” said Mr Millidge.

National Highways says it has consulted Cornwall Council members, parish councillors, council officers, bus companies and police while developing the proposals.

An average-speed camera scheme remains under consideration, depending on the junction improvements eventually delivered.

The consultation will help shape the proposals ahead of detailed design work.