WORK to reduce the number of accidents around Drake?s Statue in Tavistock is on the cards for next year. Plans have been drawn up by the Area South highway management team from Devon County Council, after five personal injury accidents occurred on the site within three years. Members of Tavistock Town Council heard the plans during last week?s full council meeting during a presentation by John Halliday, chief assistant engineer of the group. Mr Halliday explained the safety work and alterations to the A386 at the Drake?s Statue roundabout were needed because of poor visibility at the site, which was being blamed for the accidents. The alterations will see the roads approaching the roundabout altered to give better visibility to oncoming traffic, pavements on will be widened without affecting the road space, chevrons will be added, and lit bollards will be moved to make way for the adjustments. Mr Halliday said: ?The Highways Authority look over a three year period and if there are accidents which could have been avoided, they look at what can be done to reduce the number of accidents.? Councillors were told there have been five injuries and four crashes on the roundabout in the space of three years, where the police had been called to attend. Mr Halliday said: ?We are thinking we are going to save three to four personal injury accidents in the three years. ?A personal injury cost is £60,000 and we can expect to save quite an amount by the scheme which is estimated to cost £36,000.? Councillors raised concerns over the effect the new layout would have on the HGVs and buses. Some members were worried there would not be enough space for long vehicles to manoeuvre and were concerned the proposed scheme could increase congestion. Mr Halliday admitted large vehicles occupied more space than cars but said the group?s focus had to be on road safety. The highway management plans to go ahead with the scheme next year after asking for approval from Devon County Council in January. The work is expected to take three weeks to complete ? it is hoped the project will begin in February.
