Motorists to see national speed limit dropped to 60mph next week along major A-road amid safety concerns

The move follows a major safety review that revealed just how dangerous this section of road has become to motorists and Britons.

National Highways said that this is only the first phase of a wider programme of improvements planned for the Parkway, which has long been a concern for local authorities, police and road users.

After announcing the proposals in September, the agency carried out a statutory consultation. With that now complete, workers will start putting up new signs on both the roadside and bridges, supported by new road markings and updated electrical systems.

Officials explained that it's part of a wider push to cut casualties across the southwest, with similar action already taken on other key routes.

What prompted the change was a stark set of figures with a recent assessment revealing that collision rates on this part of the A38 are double those typically seen on comparable A-roads across the country.

Between 2020 and 2024, there were 157 crashes resulting in 226 injuries, numbers that raised a serious alarm among safety teams and left little doubt that action was needed.

National Highways said the data formed the backbone of its safety review and left no question that the limit needed to be reduced.

Jack Mason, National Highways' southwest head of road safety, said the introduction of the 60mph limit follows a long period of analysis.

"The initiative follows a long-term safety review and is part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the number of people harmed on the region's roads," he said.

Mr Mason added that cutting the speed limit should not only reduce the number of crashes but also lessen the severity of those that do occur. He described the change as the first step in a wider package of work aimed at improving safety for both drivers and residents living alongside the route.

"As outlined in the consultation process, we'll continue to monitor the safety and performance of the route, and make any future interventions where needed," he shared. He also confirmed that National Highways continues to work alongside police and the local authority on further improvements planned at Manadon and Deep Lane.

The installation of the new signs means overnight lane closures and some temporary slip-road shutdowns over the coming weeks.

Diversions will be clearly marked, and the work is expected to finish by December 22. Once complete, the 60mph limit will become legally enforceable.

Mr Mason said the change will make very little difference to overall journey times. "We thank people for their patience while we carry out this work," he stated.

"Once completed and the order comes into effect, the reduced speed limit will add only 49 seconds to people's journeys between Marsh Mills and the Tamar Bridge."

Alongside the signage works, crews will update road markings and make electrical changes needed to support the new layout. Current temporary limits linked to the ongoing Saltash Tunnel upgrade will be removed once that separate project is finished.

Devon and Cornwall Police have backed the move, with Adrian Leisk, the force's head of road safety, stating that the data makes it clear that the change is needed.

"We are working closely with all our road safety partners, and we welcome National Highways' efforts to improve driver safety on the A38 along the Plymouth Parkway," he said.

Mr Leisk pointed out that excessive or inappropriate speed remains one of the policing "Fatal Five" behaviours known to cause deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.