A temporary footway in Peasedown St John is being trialled by Bath & North East Somerset Council in response to residents’ concerns.
The footway is being put in during Road Safety Week (November 21 – 27 2011) along part of the Sunnyside View cul de sac, near the primary school.
Around 75% of families already walk their children to school in Peasedown St John, and the Council hopes that the footway will make the walk to school safer and even more appealing.
When the cul de sac was designed it presumed priority for pedestrians over cars, but the number of cars now dropping children off and picking them up has meant that some walking families feel vulnerable.
A temporary barrier to prevent parking along one side of the cul de sac is being put in place, whilst maintaining access to residents’ drives on Sunnyside. Walkers will have a path behind the barrier, away from cars pulling up to drop off children.
Cllr Roger Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down), the Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to making walking and cycling to school as safe as possible for residents, encouraging people not to use cars for short journeys where it is unnecessary. If this trial, which will run up to Christmas, is successful, the Council will look at putting in a permanent walkway.”
David Tilling, Headteacher of Peasedown St John School said, “Our school has a very high percentage of children walking to school and we constantly promote walking and cycling as being a healthy and environmentally friendly way to make the journey each day. Our pupil ‘Green Team’ are passionate about environmental issues and constantly seek to inspire parents and children to avoid making the journey by car whenever possible. Peasedown St John School enjoys working closely with the Council and is grateful for any development that supports safety and access for children and their families.”
Cllr Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown), the Council’s Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, Deputy Leader and local ward member said: “I received a large number of complaints from Sunnyside View residents over the last 12 months about speeding vehicles and inconsiderate parking around school opening and closing times. I asked the Traffic and Safety Department to take action and officers came out to chat to residents with me, which has resulted in this trial.“
