QUESTIONS are being raised over plans to improve the safety of one of Cornwall’s most dangerous junctions.

At the start of the month, National Highways revealed a swathe of upgrades it plans to carry out along the A30. These The six-month works are being undertaken in an effort to improve the safety at junctions between Kennards House and Five Lanes, including the notorious Plusha Junction.

Following a number of serious and fatal collisions at the junction, National Highways installed an interim barrier scheme last year, which has already prevented right turns across the dual carriageway, though it says that these additional junction improvements and local authority road adjustments, which come as part of a £9.8-million scheme, including £8-million of designated safety measures, are aiming to further reduce the number of incidents in the location.

However, questions are now being raised about whether the money is being used in the most effective way. When the junction was first pushed into the spotlight following a number of serious crashes, many residents called for the installation of a flyover at the site, ensuring that drivers are not required to battle multiple lanes of traffic, while also still allowing drivers to make right turns.

Cornwall Councillor Adrian Parsons (Altarnun and Stoke Climsland), has questioned whether the announced improvements are the best approach.

He said: “For those of us who live locally, we know the silly season is upon us. The traffic travelling in and out of Cornwall on the A30 can be chaotic at times. While this is good news for our tourist industry, it is not so good for those of us who have to use the crossing points between Five Lanes and Kennards House as we go about our daily business.

“Only last week, I made the mistake of pulling into the right-turn lane at Plusha to cross over to the garage. I then sat there for nearly twenty minutes, alongside a long queue of vehicles attempting to do the same. At peak times, there is no doubt that this crossing remains incredibly dangerous.

“We still regularly hear stories of people attempting to make a right turn when leaving the garage, even though they should not be doing so. I think we can all agree that something had to change, and closing the right turn out of Plusha has reduced the risk of a serious accident. However, has it reduced the risk to such an extent that we should be satisfied with the current situation?

“In September, we will see National Highways begin its latest programme of works, involving a £4.5-million investment to close several crossing points and junctions, while also providing improved lanes for entering and exiting Plusha. However, in some respects, I question whether this money is being spent as effectively as it could be. As we know, these changes will still leave us with a substandard junction at peak times. Indeed, as we have seen again today with another accident at this location, the junction continues to create disruption and chaos whenever incidents occur.”