Safer routes Plan for two one-way systems in town
APERMANENT one-way system could be introduced in two areas of Clevedon. North Somerset Council has put forward proposals to make Hill Road and The Beach one way.
Temporary social distancing measures along both areas were put in earlier this year in a bid to provide more space for pedestrians during the pandemic.
The move saw parking bays along Hill Road blocked off with bollards to give more space for pedestrians.
Parking bays along The Beach have also been sectioned off with bollards to make more space.
Now proposals are being put forward to make both areas one way and provide more space for walking and cycling.
The changes would see a one-way system introduced eastbound along Hill Road.
Pavements on one side of Hill Road, where the current parking bays are, would be widened.
Parking bays along the road would remain.
Traffic along The Beach would also be made one way.
The move would allow pavements to be widened along the prom and a new dedicated cycle route to be created.
Parking along The Beach would be maintained as part of the move.
The proposals come at the same time as North Somerset Council has been awarded £473,750 in Government cash to introduce permanent routes for walking and cycling and “socially distanced” environments.
The funding is part of a national £175 million grant from the Department for Transport (DfT), which will see new safe routes for people to walk and cycle safely built next year.
The plans, which authority leaders say are “not a done deal”, will now go out for consultation with local businesses, residents and local councils.
North Somerset Council executive member for transport Councillor James Tonkin said: “This funding recognises the important role active travel will play in the next phase of Covid-19 and supports the increase in active travel and walking we have seen this year.
“Introducing better routes for people to walk and cycle to enable work, education or leisure is an essential part of the economic recovery of our region and we are delighted that we have secured this additional funding to allow us to introduce these schemes and create safer environments for our visitors, residents and businesses.
“This council is committed to creating more opportunities for sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions and these schemes will also support those important goals.”
Other schemes being put forward across the district include creating a cycling corridor in Baker Street and Milton Road in Weston-super-Mare.
The plans would see a 20mph limit introduced on both roads, work to prevent the routes being used as rat runs and enhanced links from residential areas to the town centre;
There are also plans to introduce a segregated cycling route over Hildesheim Bridge into Westonsuper-Mare town centre.
Further measures will be put in place to offer safe walking and cycling routes to school for children and parents. There are also plans to establish a network of “quiet lanes” network of cycling and pedestrian routes between Yatton, Clevedon and Nailsea.