In response to community concerns, Weston councillors Colin Barrett and Matthew Davies have been in discussions with B&NES Council, as well as local police, over ways to improve road safety in the area.
Following these discussions, a series of measures to improve safety on roads in Weston village, Bath, have now been published by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Some of the safety measures have already been implemented, with others due to be introduced in the coming weeks and months.
Many of the measures are aimed in particular at improving safety for children walking to and from Weston All Saints Primary.
Some of the measures which the Council is working on include:
- Creating a new ‘Park and Stride’ for children attending WASPS on Deanhill Lane, with the council engaging with potential volunteers to supervise the proposed walking bus.
- New double-yellow lines and ‘no stopping’ parking restrictions on Broadmoor Lane.
- Introduction of further limited waiting and ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions on Lansdown Lane and Broadmoor Lane to improve road safety.
- Pedestrian ‘protective’ measures, such as new bollards, on Lansdown Lane and Broadmoor Lane.
- A flat-top table for pedestrians crossing near the entrance to Broadmoor Lane.
- Revised pedestrian access to WASPS at the south corner of site.
- A new weight limit on Lansdown Lane, with a camera enforcement trial being undertaken.
- Additional signage and speed reduction measures on Lansdown Lane.
- A new zebra crossing and signage at the bottom of Lansdown Lane, which has now been installed.
Councillor Colin Barrett (Cons, Weston), who has been campaigning for a number of years on the need to improve road safety in Weston village, said: “The need to improve road safety is something which I have campaigned on for many years, dating back to before I became a local councillor.
“We have been successful in securing some safety improvements, but clearly there’s always room for improvement particularly as we seek to use new technology.
“Over recent months my fellow Weston councillor Matthew Davies and I have been holding regular discussions with the authorities about what could be done to improve road safety in this area, particularly for local school children attending Weston All Saints Primary.
“As a result of these discussions, the Council has agreed to a number of additional safety measures which it is currently working on introducing.”
Councillor Matthew Davies (Cons, Weston), added: “The issue of road safety is naturally a major issue of concern to local residents here in Weston.
“It’s vital that the authorities take whatever steps necessary to make our local roads as safe as possible, especially for local school children. The set of improvements which the Council has put forward are therefore very welcome.
“However, we will continue to work with local people on this issue and are always keen to hear any further suggestions which residents feel should be put forward to the Council for consideration.”
Bath MP Ben Howlett said: “I know work has already been done, but like residents, parents and teachers at Weston All Saints Primary School I am keen that the planned additional work is expedited to improve safety on this treacherous stretch of road.
“I will continue to discuss with all interested parties how we can best deliver safer roads across Bath, but remain particularly concerned about Lansdown Lane and ensuring further traffic calming measures are delivered as rapidly as possible.”
