THIS week’s edition of the Cornish Times, in shops from today (Friday), leads with the news that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has agreed to look into making safety improvements to the A38, the main road artery through South East Cornwall.

The development comes as a cross-party group of MPs, campaigners, councillors and council officers went to Westminster this week to present their case to the Minister.

We also feature the story of a blind man who says he has lost part of his independence after a postbox near his home, and to which his guided has been used to leading him, was removed without warning by Royal Mail.

A local runner and PE teacher is planning to run three Cornish marathons in one day tomorrow (Saturday) to raise funds for the National Autistic Society. A Halloween dog show has been held in Liskeard Scouts’ hall to raise funds for the same good cause and we feature pictures from it.

The Royal Albert and Tamar rail and road bridges at Saltash play a prominent part in a new film celebrating engineering triumphs around Plymouth – and local celebrity resident the actress and comedian Dawn French is the narrator.

Also in the field of history, a talk by a local marine artist aims to tell the true story of the Pilgrim Fathers’ pioneering voyage to New England in the Mayflower – and he promises that it will be more interesting than the version normally taught in schools.

The Cornwall Council leader says that cuts to funding in the county mean that, whatever the Government says, there will be no end to austerity in this part of the world.

We also hear that the tapestry depicting the history of Saltash that took five years to complete now needs a new home, and photographer Ray Roberts this week explores some of the wonders of nature to be found in local hedgerows.

All this and more is in this week’s Cornish Times, on sale now.