A dangerous section of the A36 in Wiltshire is set to undergo significant safety enhancements as part of a broader £13 million investment to upgrade key routes across the South West.
The road, which links Bath and Southampton, will see crucial improvements at Codford St Peter, where a series of serious collisions have been recorded. National Highways has pinpointed unsafe overtaking—especially southbound vehicles attempting to pass cars waiting to turn left into Codford—as a primary cause.
Starting Monday, April 20, a seven-week construction program will introduce a dedicated left-turn lane for eastbound traffic exiting the A36 into Codford St Peter. This new lane will be both longer and wider than the current narrow turning bay, aimed at reducing risky overtaking and enhancing visibility for all approaching drivers.
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To manage the work, four-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation, alongside scheduled weekend, weeknight, and junction closures to minimize disruption.
In addition to the A36 upgrades, National Highways plans further safety interventions across the South West. These include installing seven yellow box junctions on the A30 near the M5 (J29 in Devon) on both eastbound and westbound lanes, as well as barrier gap closures on the M5 between junctions 29 and 31.
Additional schemes on the A38 and A35 in Devon will focus on reviewing speed limits, implementing speed camera systems, and improving junction safety. The A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes in Cornwall is also slated for upgrades.
Jack Mason, South West Road Safety Manager at National Highways, emphasized their commitment to road safety: “Our goal is that no one should be harmed while travelling or working on our roads. By analyzing collision data and driver behaviour, we are introducing targeted improvements like those on the A36 and A30. These projects are only the start of numerous enhancements planned to make the region’s roads safer and more reliable.”
Mason also highlighted the ongoing efforts to maintain these vital transport routes under the Government’s Third Road Investment strategy, ensuring roads remain safe and dependable for all users.