Why action is needed
Records show a high number of collisions along the entire length of the A30 dual carriageway between Yeovil and Sherborne, with many vehicles significantly exceeding the speed limit. Between 1 January 2014 and 24 March 2025, there have been 43 injury collisions. These collisions have resulted in slight, serious and fatal injuries being sustained by those involved. This has resulted in 63 casualties, including 6 fatalities and 15 seriously injured.
| Year | Slight collisions | Serious collisions | Fatal collisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | None |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | 9 | 2 | None |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 | None |
| 2018 | None | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | None | None | None |
| 2020 | 3 | None | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 | None | None |
| 2022 | None | None | 1 |
| 2023 | None | 1 | None |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | None | None |
Loscombe Crossroads has seen 8 collisions since 2014, including 4 fatalities from 3 incidents in just 4 years, between 2020 to 2024. It sits on a fast, high-risk stretch of the A30 between Yeovil and Sherborne, where speeding has been a long-standing issue.
On 11 October 2024, we reduced the speed limit from 70mph to 60mph, a recent coroner’s report warned that the junction layout and collision frequency still pose a serious risk. We are acting on these concerns.
While driver behaviour plays a role, we follow the Safe System approach—an internationally recognised model that designs roads to reduce the impact of human error. Immediate safety measures are now being introduced to help prevent further casualties.
What we’re doing to improve safety
To address the risks at Loscombe Crossroads, we will implement a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) under Section 14(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This will:
- prohibit all right-turn, U-turn, and straight-over movements for vehicles entering or exiting Marl Lane and Old Compton Lane at the junction
- allow only left-in and left-out movements, helping to maintain existing journeys while reducing the most dangerous crossing movements
The works will include temporarily extending the vehicle restraint barriers across the crossroads. These changes are expected to come into effect in late summer 2025 and will be in place for up to 18 months. During this time, we will monitor traffic behaviour and consult with local communities on whether to make the changes permanent.
Who will be affected
The villages most affected by the changes are:
- Over Compton, Nether Compton, and Trent (north of the A30)
- Bradford Abbas (south of the A30).
Traffic data from 2021 shows that only a small number of vehicles make the restricted movements each day - around 336 movements, including 46 U-turns. Vehicles will still be able to turn left onto and off the A30, allowing most journeys to continue with minimal disruption.
Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the A30 at Loscombe Crossroads, and bus stops on both sides of the road will remain open, with access maintained through the central reservation.
Traffic speeds
Traffic speed and volume surveys were carried out over a 7-day period in August 2022 to support a previous feasibility study. Four survey points were set up around the Over Compton junction, 2 to the east and 2 to the west. Capturing both eastbound and westbound traffic.
The results show a significant number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, even before the limit was reduced from 70mph to 60mph in October 2024.
A summary of the findings of the survey location to the east of the junction is shown in the table below:
| Speed range | Average vehicles per day | % of total traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 50 mph | 847 | 6.19% |
| 50 to 60 mph | 4,183 | 30.59% |
| 60 to 70 mph | 5,756 | 42.09% |
| 70 to 80 mph | 2,397 | 17.53% |
| 80 to 90 mph | 401 | 2.93% |
| 90 to 100 mph | 70 | <1% |
| 100 to 110 mph | 16 | <1% |
| Over 110 mph | 6 | <1% |
During the survey period, an average of over 2,900 vehicles per day were recorded travelling between 70 and 80mph, and over 490 vehicles per day exceeded 80mph.
Alarmingly, on average 70 vehicles per day were recorded travelling between 90 and 100mph, and 22 vehicles per day exceeded 100mph.
These figures highlight the scale of the speeding issue at this location and reinforce the need for both the recent speed limit reduction and further safety interventions.
New traffic surveys are currently underway to assess whether the speed limit change has had a measurable impact.
Monitoring and data collection
To ensure the changes are effective and do not create new risks elsewhere, we are undertaking a comprehensive programme of monitoring. This includes:
Speed surveys (before and after implementation):
- eastbound and westbound at Nether Compton junction
- eastbound and westbound at Over Compton junction
- eastbound and westbound on Babylon Hill (east of Underdown Hollow)
Turning count surveys:
- Compton Road – Marl Lane junction in Over Compton
- Underdown Hollow junction on the A30
- Nether Compton junction on the A30
- Over Compton junction (eastbound and westbound)
These surveys will help us understand how traffic patterns change and whether risk is being dispersed to other routes.
Alternative routes and diversion monitoring
The removal of right-turn and straight-over movements will likely increase traffic on nearby routes, including:
- Compton Road, linking Over Compton to the Babylon Hill roundabout
- Bradford Road, linking Bradford Abbas to Sherborne
- Underdown Hollow, providing access to Bradford Abbas from the west
These routes will be closely monitored during the TTRO period. An additional “Unsuitable for HGVs” sign will be installed at the Over Compton end of Compton Road to discourage inappropriate use by larger vehicles.
Diversion routes to Over Compton
For northbound vehicles travelling straight across the A30 from Bradford Abbas to Over Compton and westbound vehicles turning right from the A30 towards Over Compton.
Vehicles will turn left out of Old Compton Lane onto the A30. The diversion route will continue westbound along the A30 to Yeovil. The diversion will then use the Babylon Hill Roundabout to make a U-turn to rejoin the A30 in an eastbound direction. Vehicles can then turn left onto Marl Lane towards Over Compton at the Loscombe Crossroads junction.
There are existing signed routes from Over Compton to Yeovil along Compton Road, and from the A30 to Bradford Abbas along Underdown Hollow. These routes will be unaffected.
Diversion routes to Bradford Abbas
For southbound vehicles travelling straight across the A30 from Over Compton to Bradford Abbas and eastbound vehicles turning right from the A30 towards Bradford Abbas.
Vehicles will turn left out of Marl Lane onto the A30. The diversion will continue eastbound along the A30 to Sherborne. At the A352 (Horsecastles) junction, vehicles will turn right onto the A352. From here, vehicles will follow the existing signage to Bradford Abbas along Bradford Road.
Long-term safety improvements
We are conducting a feasibility study to explore the introduction of average speed cameras along this stretch of the A30. This would help ensure compliance with the new 60mph speed limit and support long-term safety improvements.
If we do not see a significant reduction in speeding and collisions, further measures may be considered. These could include changes to other junctions along the A30 between Sherborne and Yeovil.
These options would require significant investment, but they reflect our strong commitment to improving road safety and protecting all road users.