Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Project

The Menheniot junction is situated on the A38 in Cornwall, approximately 2.48 miles (4 kilometres) to the east of Liskeard. This at-grade staggered junction connects the B3251 and the Lower Clicker Road to the A38 trunk road. 

The Highways Agency had previously considered a grade separated junction, but this is no longer an economically viable option at this location

The Problem

The conflict between fast moving trunk road traffic and slow moving crossing/turning traffic resulted in 15 personal injury accidents (PIAs) between April 2001 and April 2006. The proportion of serious accidents along this section of the A38, between Liskeard and Trerulefoot was higher than the national average.

It was also difficult for pedestrians to cross the road when walking to the bus stops. Cars parked in the bus lay-bys often caused problems for buses trying to access the bus stops.

Proposed Junction Improvement

We were in discussion with Cornwall County Council, Devon & Cornwall Police, and the Safety Camera Partnership, whilst developing improvements to the junction. Our proposals were presented at an exhibition which was held at Menheniot Village Hall on Friday 8 December 2006.

The following measures were designed to address the main difficulties at this junction, and to improve safety for both the trunk road and local road users, including pedestrians:

• Installation of vehicle activated signs (VAS) on the A38 approaches to the junction in order to alert motorists that vehicles are crossing/turning at the junction ahead.  
• Removal of grass within central reserve to the east of the junction to improve visibility from the junction in an easterly direction.
• Rationalisation of signing, including replacement of the advance direction signs on both approaches to the junction. 
• Pedestrian warning signs and enhanced bus stop markings.

Works commenced January 2008 and were completed at Easter 2008.