The petition of residents of Cubert, St Newlyn East and the surrounding areas,
Declares that visibility at Cubert Crossroads falls below national standards for a 60 mph road, putting road users at risk of accidents and fatalities; further declares that during the summer months traffic volumes increase significantly due to seasonal visitors who are unfamiliar with the junction, increasing the risk; further declares that current cost-benefit approaches to road safety infrastructure undervalue the risks faced on rural roads and junctions; and further declares that the urgent implementation of highway safety measures, such as average speed cameras, a restriction on turning, traffic lights, or a roundabout, is needed to protect local communities and visitors using this junction.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to support the campaign to ensure that Cubert Crossroads has appropriate highway safety measures in place, recognising the importance of having a safe crossroads that does not put road users at risk.
And the petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Jayne Kirkham, Official Report, 12 October 2026; Vol. 791, c. 147.]
[P003243]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Justin Madders):
The Government recognise the concerns raised by residents of Cubert, St Newlyn East and the surrounding areas about safety at Cubert Crossroads.
The safety of all road users is a priority for the Department. The Government support local authorities in considering appropriate, evidence-led measures to address risks on their road networks. Depending on local circumstances, these may include changes to junction layouts, traffic signals, turning restrictions, speed management measures and safety camera enforcement.
Responsibility for assessing the need for safety measures on local roads rests with the relevant local highway authority. For Cubert Crossroads, this is Cornwall council. The council is best placed to assess the junction and determine which measures would be appropriate, taking account of local conditions.
The Department for Transport provides guidance to support local decision making. Authorities should consider relevant evidence, including traffic speeds and volumes, road layout and visibility, collision history, the mix of road users and wider community concerns. Seasonal changes in traffic and the circumstances of rural roads and junctions may also form part of that assessment.
While the Government cannot direct Cornwall council to implement a particular scheme at Cubert Crossroads, I would encourage the petitioners to continue engaging with the council, so that the concerns raised, and the range of possible interventions, can be considered through its local road safety responsibilities. I am grateful to the petitioners, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth (Jayne Kirkham), for highlighting these important road safety concerns at Cubert Crossroads.