One of the busiest junctions in Peasedown St John is to receive a £20,000 safety make-over, thanks to funding made available by Bath and North East Somerset Council via the village’s local councillors.
The junction connecting Bath Road, in the centre of the village, with Braysdown Lane, is well used by both vehicles and pedestrians.
It’s part of a popular route to the local primary school, and is surrounded by nearby amenities such as the Methodist Church, Tesco Express, two bus stops, and other busy shops and services.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “Because this junction is right in the centre of our community and connects two busy roads, residents use it all the time to cross over the road, whether it’s to get to a nearby bus stop, to visit the shops, go to school or attend church.
“For at least the last three years, local people have contacted Cllr Bevan and myself to raise their concerns about how difficult it is to cross the junction due to traffic and parked cars on the pavements nearby.”
The junction is located next to Speedy’s Charcoal Grill Takeaway, which often sees cars parked inconsiderately on the pavement outside.
Avon and Somerset Police, who have received numerous complaints in the past, support the council’s plan to make safety improvements.
Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) added: “The £20,000 investment will include high friction, buff-coloured carriageway surfacing to alert drivers to the potential danger to pedestrians at this point. It also includes new lower pedestrian crossing-points installed either side, and six heavy-duty bollards to prevent vehicles from illegally parking on the pavement.
We are hoping, as are the local police, that these changes will ensure the junction is much safer in the future for both pedestrians and drivers to use.
B&NES Council’s Highways Department have indicated that the works will be carried out and completed by the end of June.
The project follows a £2,500 speed-reduction feasibility study carried out last year in Braysdown Lane, which was requested by former B&NES Councillor Nathan Hartley in 2015.
