A361 safety crackdown approved by council

Senior councillors at Devon County Council have today approved the delivery of a package of measures to tackle speed-related collisions and careless driver behaviour on a stretch of the A361 between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.

The scheme, which received unanimous cross-party support at the first cabinet meeting of the year, will see the introduction of spot speed and average speed cameras alongside cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology to address dangerous driving.

These measures aim to reduce mobile phone distractions and improve seatbelt compliance, both identified as significant factors in road accidents on the route.

Last August (2024), a pilot of AI cameras on the A361 recorded 1,363 seatbelt violations and 436 mobile phone offences in just four weeks. 

Devon County Council hopes the new measures will encourage safer driving practices and prevent further tragedies.

The scheme is part of a £5,040,000 grant awarded in March 2024 from the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund, which identified the A361 as one of 17 ‘high-risk’ routes in England.

The project’s first phase, expected to be operational by the end of 2026, includes three bidirectional speed cameras at key locations: Knowle, Ilfracombe, and Ashford. 

Two average speed camera systems will monitor stretches between Ashford and Chivenor, as well as between Knowle and Mullacott Cross, helping to regulate speeds on the 50mph dual carriageway.

Further improvements, such as upgraded junctions and pedestrian and cycle crossings, are under consideration for future cabinet discussions.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “The package of measures will help make the A361 safer by encouraging safer speed and safer driving habits.

“A third of all fatal collisions across Devon and Cornwall involved someone not wearing a seatbelt, and so if we can encourage more drivers and passengers to do this, we can save lives.

“I’m proud that Devon continues to lead the way in adopting the latest technology to reduce dangerous driving and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Deputy Leader Councillor Andrea Davis, representing Combe Martin Rural, welcomed the scheme, saying: “I’m horrified that people don’t wear seat belts. The tragedy is that we’ve had too many incidents on this route, and it’s heartbreaking.

“I’m very pleased that this has come forward, and on behalf of all residents, I want to thank (Councillor) Stuart (Hughes) for bringing this forward.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Caroline Leaver agreed, adding: “It is one of the worst roads in North Devon for fatalities and crashes. The idea of not wearing a seatbelt is extraordinary to me.

“We’ve seen that it is mainly young people who are either driving dangerously or are victims of dangerous driving.

“I urge the county council to ensure that plans for improving road safety include all road users, including cyclists, and take on board the need to reduce conflicts between cyclists and motorised vehicles as set out in the Highway Code.”

Labour Leader Councillor Carol Whitton said: “Anything that helps to improve compliance and saves lives is to be welcomed.

“It’s disappointing that the county council has to spend money to ensure people do what they’re supposed to do.

“I hope this will have a knock-on effect on other roads, as word gets around that the authority is serious about enforcing rules to keep people safe.”

This initiative is part of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, which aims to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries across Devon and Cornwall.