Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

The Project

Carkeel Roundabout is located approximately 1km to the west of the Saltash Tunnel in Cornwall. It links the A38 trunk road with the A388 to Carkeel and the B3271 to Saltash and South Pill. The residential area of Saltash is to the south of the roundabout and there are retail and commercial facilities, including a supermarket, to the north.

There is a need for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the A38 at this point, but there are currently only a number of uncontrolled crossings in the vicinity of the roundabout.

With the potential for increased development in the area, there is a possibility of more pedestrians, cyclists and those with limited mobility requiring safe passage in the future. The Highways Agency is also aware of the increasing ethos of healthy travel, and provision of a safe crossing would allow drivers to choose safe alternative modes of transport.

Following requests from the local community, the Highways Agency is investigating the feasibility of providing a safe crossing facility for pedestrians and other non motorised users across the trunk road.

The preferred option is for a footbridge across the A38 just to the east of the Carkeel Roundabout, and the Agency is engaging members of the public through a consultation process to seek their views.

The bridge would allow safe passage across the dual carrigeway for both pedestrians, cyclists and people with limited mobility.

The Proposed Scheme

The options for the bridge include straight (figure 1) or curved (figure 2) designs. Typical examples of these are illustrated below, however they are only artistic impressions, and the final design may vary from this.

As there is a substantial difference in height between ground level and the proposed footbridge, particularly on the south side, a ramp arrangement would be required.  Stairs would also be provided.

The scheme would provide a new footway/cycleway on the eastern side of the B3271, Callington Road, and the existing footway on its west side would be removed.

The bridleway on the north side of the A38 would be improved along part of its length to provide an acceptable route for pedestrians, cyclists and those with impaired mobility, in addition to use by equestrians.

Public Consultation

We held a Public Consultation Exhibition in Ashtorre Rock, at the Waterside, Old Ferry Road, Saltash on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September 2009.

As part of the consultation process a leaflet which provided details of the scheme was distributed to residents in the Saltash area. 

The consultation period ended on 26th October 2009.

The results of the consultation are currently being analysed. Once this has been completed, further progress will be subject to funding availability. If this is forthcoming we will proceed to the detailed design stage, followed by publication of the necessary Orders. Once these stages are completed, construction can start, again subject to funding.