Devon and Cornwall Police say they are continuing 'high visibility patrols' on a stretch of the A3052 they have identified as a 'high harm route'.

The A3052 has been identified by Vision Zero as one of its ‘High Harm Routes’. Police say their high-visibility patrols have been 'successful'.

Stuart Hughes, Devon County Councillor for roads and Sidmouth resident, posted on Facebook to say: "I am continuing my campaign to get the speed limit reduced to 50mph along with a speed camera between Trow Hill where the national speed limit of 60 starts and Seaton Tower…. This would mirror the 50mph heading towards Exeter."

Figures from Vision Zero South show that between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022, there were 63 recorded collisions on the A3052 in Devon alone. These collisions resulted in 102 casualties; this includes 16 people who suffered serious injuries and four who sadly lost their lives.

Roads policing officers from Devon & Cornwall Police have been carrying out increased roadside speed checks, working alongside Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Special Constables, Speed Detection Officers and with support from the Newton Poppleford Community Speed Watch Team.

These patrols are continuing to entice drivers into dropping their speed along the A3052 from Sidmouth to Seaton.

Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety for Devon & Cornwall Police and chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement group, said: “Speed is major contributory factor in fatal and serious road collisions. Driving or riding too fast gives you less time to react and greatly increases the severity of injuries when a collision occurs.

“We know that speeding is a regularly reported concern for communities in Devon and Cornwall, and we want to make it clear that we are absolutely committed to reducing casualties and keeping our roads safe. We have a number of specialist teams who work tirelessly to keep our roads safer 24/7 365 days of the year, and this operation is just one example."

In the 24 hours that the speed detection activity took place, the team recorded in 2022: 116 vehicles driving at excessive speed, 12 documentation offences, 28 drivers reported for other offences, four drivers arrested, five vehicles seized by police and 48 drivers given advice or guidance