The Highways Agency tells us…
Average speed cameras will be installed in three Devon villages for the first time as part of a National Highways scheme to improve safety along the A35 between Honiton and Charmouth.
In a bid to reduce the number and severity of collisions along the 14-mile section, cameras will be erected in the villages of Kilmington, Raymond’s Hill and Wilmington (pictured), along with reduced speed limits in a number of locations across the route.
From 2021 to 2025, the latest five-year validated collision data for the Honiton to Charmouth section identified a total of 62 collisions, including four fatal incidents, 14 serious and 44 slight injury incidents, resulting in a total number of 100 casualties.
The figure is 55% higher in comparison to other similar A roads operated by National Highways, and given the landscape of the largely single carriageway route, the company is targeting appropriate speeds, along with enhanced signage and road markings to improve safety.
The initiative follows completion of a safety improvement scheme along the Dorset section of the A35 between Charmouth to Yellowham earlier this year.
Jack Mason, National Highways’ South West Road Safety Manager, said: “The Honiton to Charmouth scheme 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.
The average speed cameras, speed reductions, improved road markings and signage will reduce the number and severity of collisions, improving safety for both the travelling public and local communities.
We’ll continue to monitor the safety and performance of the route, and, working closely with our police and local authority partners, we will always look to make any future interventions where needed.”
Average speed cameras will monitor 40mph speed limits in the villages of Kilmington and Raymond’s Hill, 30mph through Wilmington, with the new speed limits including:
- A reduction from the national speed limit to 50mph between Honiton and Widworthy Park;
- A reduction from 40mph to 30mph to the east and west of Wilmington, extending the existing 30mph limit;
- A reduction from the national speed limit to 50mph between eastern Wilmington and western Kilmington;
- A reduction from 50mph to 40mph within Kilmington.
Vegetation clearance and other preparatory work has been taking place under daytime lane closures and temporary traffic lights, with the main installation programme, including new signage, average speed cameras, road marking and studs being undertaken in phases.
The phased work will be carried out under overnight closures (8pm to 6am), weeknights only, with a break for the Christmas holidays, and clearly signed diversion routes will be in place and regular updates available on the National Highways website.
Once completed, by the end of March, the average speed cameras and new speed restrictions will be enforceable by police.
Updates regarding closures can be found at the company’s Daily Closures web page, while further information on the scheme and the phases of work can be found on the scheme web page.
National Highways
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.