CHANGES to speed limits and the installation of average speed cameras are among the latest safety improvements set to be made along the A38 into Mansfield.

The new measures approved by Nottinghamshire County Council’s transport and highways committee are the latest in a series of improvements which have been made along the road in recent months in a bid to reduce the number of accidents.

The single carriageway section of the road between Orchard Way and the A617 junction at Kings Mill Hospital has had a persistently high level of reported injury accidents.

Between 2010 and 2013 there were 73 reported injury accidents, 15 of which resulted in fatal or serious injuries.

By introducing a consistent speed limit of 50mph along this length and enforcing the new limit with average speed cameras, it is anticipated that the number of accidents will be significantly reduced.

The cost of implementing the measures will be in the region of £500,000.

Last year improvements were made to a Toucan pedestrian and cycle crossing at the Sutton Middle Lane junction, including additional cycle detection loops on footpaths and changes to signal timings.

In addition, a major maintenance scheme carried out during July on the Stockwell Gate – Sutton Road between the Rosemary Street and the Sheepbridge Lane/Skegby Lane junction provided an extra refuge to improve pedestrian facilities along this length as well as repairing the length of road.

“We hope that making these changes to the speed limits along this part of the A38 will address the level of accidents occurring on the bypass by achieving consistently slower speeds along the road,” said Coun Kevin Greaves, chairman of the County Council’s transport and highways committee.

“We have consulted extensively on the proposals and have taken into account feedback from local residents in coming up with the final scheme.”