A39 road (England)
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| A39 road (England) | |
|---|---|
.png) | |
| Country | ENG |
| Route | 39 |
| Length mi | 140 |
| Direction a | Southwest |
| Terminus a | Cornwall |
| Direction b | Northeast=Bristol |
| Terminus b | Bristol |
| Cities | Truro, Wadebridge, Camelford, Bideford, Barnstaple, Porlock, Minehead, Bridgwater, Glastonbury, Wells, Bath, Bristol |
A39 road (England) The A39 road is a major A-class route running from Truro in Cornwall to Bristol in England, traversing the Bristol Channel coast, the Exmoor and Quantock Hills, and the Somerset Levels. It links numerous market towns and tourist destinations including Wadebridge, Bideford, Barnstaple, Minehead, Bridgwater, Glastonbury, and Bath, and connects with trunk routes such as the A30 road (Great Britain), A358 road, and M5 motorway.
Route
The route begins near Truro on the edge of Cornwall and proceeds northeast via Wadebridge, crossing the River Camel and passing near Bodmin Moor before reaching Camelford. From there it enters Devon, serving Bideford and Barnstaple on the north coast, skirting the southern edge of Exmoor National Park and running through Porlock and Minehead on the Celtic Sea coastline. Continuing east, the A39 traverses the Quantock Hills into Somerset, passing Bridgwater and skirting the Polden Hills to reach Glastonbury and Wells, then proceeds toward Bath where it meets the A36 road and ultimately terminates near Bristol after crossing the Avon Gorge corridor and linking with the A4 road (England).
History
The A39 follows historic packhorse tracks and coaching roads used in the Medieval and Early Modern periods between Cornwall and Bristol. Sections around Glastonbury and Wells overlay Roman and Saxon routes documented in parish records and maps from the 18th century turnpike era. During the Industrial Revolution, improved turnpike trusts invested in bridges over the River Avon and River Parrett to support trade from Taunton and Bridgwater to the Bristol Channel ports. In the 20th century, the road was classified as part of the national A-road network under the Roads Act 1920s reforms and underwent realignments during postwar reconstruction influenced by planners associated with the Ministry of Transport and regional county councils such as Somerset County Council.
Road layout and junctions
The A39 comprises single-carriageway rural sections, urban high streets, and dual-carriageway bypasses at towns like Bideford and Barnstaple. Key junctions include its connection with the A30 road (Great Britain) near Launceston, interchange with the A361 road at North Devon, link to the A39 and A361 networks around South Molton, and junctions with the A38 road (England) and A4 road (England) close to Bath and Bristol. Notable engineered features include river crossings at River Camel, River Taw, River Exe tributaries, and steep coastal gradients around Porlock Hill where climbing lanes and reflective signage manage heavy goods traffic.
Traffic and safety
Traffic volumes vary seasonally, with notable tourist peaks during summer months affecting stretches near Exmoor National Park, Minehead, and Glastonbury Festival environs. Safety records compiled by Highways England and local highway authorities indicate higher-than-average collision rates on rural single-carriageway sections, particularly at junctions near Bridgwater and steep descents at Porlock Hill. Accident mitigation measures have included additional signage, speed limit reviews with input from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, and targeted road surface improvements funded through regional transport allocations from Department for Transport programmes.
Upgrades and future developments
Past upgrades include bypass schemes around Bideford and capacity improvements linked to the M5 motorway junctions serving Bridgwater and Taunton. Proposed future developments have been discussed by Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, and Somerset County Council in collaboration with National Highways to address congestion, resilience to coastal erosion near Minehead, and flood mitigation across the Somerset Levels following significant events recorded in the 2013–2014 United Kingdom winter floods. Schemes under consideration encompass junction realignments, carriageway strengthening, and sustainable transport integration with National Cycle Network corridors.
Cultural and economic significance
The A39 supports tourism to landmarks such as St Michael's Mount, Tintagel Castle, Clovelly, Watchet, Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral, and the Roman Baths, Bath, linking cultural heritage sites, festivals like Glastonbury Festival, and coastal resorts that underpin regional hospitality sectors and fisheries in Bideford Bay. It facilitates agricultural freight from Somerset Levels peatlands and market gardens near Taunton to regional markets and ports including Bristol Harbour and Falmouth Docks. Community and conservation organisations such as the National Trust and RSPB engage with highway authorities to balance access to natural reserves against protection of habitats along the A39 corridor.
Category:Roads in England Category:Transport in Cornwall Category:Transport in Devon Category:Transport in Somerset