Junction closed after third fatality in six months

An aerial view of roads on on the A30 with cones and diversion/road closed signs.
The A30 junction has been closed, the speed limit cut and restricted from right-turn traffic movements [BBC]

An accident blackspot junction has been closed after a third fatal crash in the last six months.

A woman in her 80s died on Thursday on the westbound carriageway at Plusha junction near Launceston.

National Highways, the police and Cornwall Council immediately issued an emergency order to shut the junction, cut the speed limit and restrict right-turn traffic movements.

Bosses announced plans to improve the safety of the junction in September.

Ed Halford, National Highways route manager, said the safety of drivers was "our number one priority".

He said that in September they unveiled plans to introduce "safety measures along the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes".

"As part of the safety package, we’ve been liaising closely with our police and local authority partners to identify a number of interventions aimed at improving safety and reducing the number of incidents."

'Enough is enough'

Ben Maguire, MP for north Cornwall, said a "safer solution must be found".

He said: "Enough is enough. There has been a record of failure for too long on this issue, and now, more than ever, we need to come together to solve this accident blackspot.

"We need a graded junction, and we need to get everyone around the table to find a long-term solution."

Adrian Parsons, councillor for Altarnun and Stoke Climsland, said "immediate changes" would be coming into force and asked people to "please take care out there and drive safely".

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