£10,000 has been spent in Peasedown St John to install two brand new vehicle activated signs (VAS) in the village, in a bid to slow down motorists near a nursery.
Costing £5,000 each, the funding was secured by former councillor Nathan Hartley as part of a larger £70,000 financial package for the community.
The signs have been installed in Ashgrove, opposite St Joseph’s Catholic Church, and in Eckweek Road, outside the Learning Day Tree Nursery.
B&NES councillor Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “These two flashing 20mph slow down signs have been installed in these locations following requests from the local community.
“It’s been a joy to liaise with the highways department to work towards their installation over the last six months.
“I know many parents will now have greater peace of mind as they walk their children to and from school.
“Unfortunately, despite other road safety measures and a 20mph speed limit rolled out across the village, a minority of drivers still choose to put other people’s lives at risk by travelling at excessive speeds.
“Now, with two new flashing signs, there is no excuse but to slow down!”
Last Monday, Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Sarah Bevan went along to meet nursery staff and children to inspect the newest piece of equipment.
Cllr Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) added: “Staff and parents are thrilled to have this new sign right outside their front gate.
“With young children going two and from the nursery all day, they’ll now feel much safer with under the ‘protection’ of this new equipment.
“With play facilities for babies through to those aged 5 years old, and a range of indoor and outdoor activities for children, the nursery can now boast a new state-of-the-art piece of road safety equipment that helps keep children safe from passing traffic.”
The £70,000 for Peasedown St John was agreed at B&NES Council’s February Budget meeting, when Nathan Hartley was Leader of the Independent Councillors who, at the time, held the balance of power at Bath’s Guildhall.
Other funding to come includes:
- £5,000 for traffic calming in Orchard Way;
- £2,500 for additional traffic calming in Braysdown Lane;
- £20,000 for pavement resurfacing in Ashgrove and Bath Road;
- £30,000 for A367/Bath Road junction feasibility study.
Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Sarah Bevan are meeting B&NES Council staff regularly to ensure the funding is spent on time, and for the purposes of which it was allocated.
