A notorious section of the A36 between Bath and Southampton is set to undergo significant safety improvements as part of a broader £13 million investment in major routes across the South West. The focus will be on the Wiltshire area around Codford St Peter, which has been identified as a crash hotspot.
Starting Monday, April 20, a seven-week construction program will begin, targeting a key problem that has caused numerous serious collisions: reckless overtaking by southbound vehicles attempting to pass while others turn left into Codford. The current left-turn lane is short and narrow, contributing to dangerous manoeuvres.
To address this, National Highways will build a new, dedicated left-turn lane for eastbound traffic exiting the A36 into Codford St Peter. Extending the length and width of this lane will reduce inappropriate overtaking and improve visibility for all drivers approaching the junction.
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The work will involve four-way temporary traffic lights, weekend and weeknight closures, and full junction closures to ensure safety during construction.
Beyond the A36, National Highways plans to install seven yellow box junctions on the A30 around M5 Junction 29 near Exeter, covering both eastbound and westbound carriageways. On the M5 itself, barrier gap closures are planned between Junctions 29 and 31 to enhance motorway safety.
Additional safety projects in Devon include improvements on the A38 between Wobblywheel and Splatford and on the A35 between Honiton and Charmouth. These measures encompass speed limit reviews, speed camera installations, barrier gap closures, and junction upgrades. In Cornwall, work will be carried out on the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes.
Jack Mason, South West Road Safety Manager at National Highways, emphasized the agency’s commitment: “Road safety is, and will always be, our number one priority. Our goal is that no one should be harmed while travelling or working on our roads. By leveraging collision data, risk assessments, and driver behaviour insights, we aim to make our roads safer.”
He added, “These targeted enhancements on the A36 and A30 mark the start of a wider programme of improvements this year. Our roads are vital to everyone’s daily life, and we remain dedicated to continually enhancing safety and reliability.”
These safety upgrades form part of the Government’s Third Road Investment Strategy, aiming to ensure that the South West’s road network remains safe and dependable for all users.