Pier to Pier Seafront revamp to start after Easter
WORK on a number of improvements to Clevedon beach and nearby roads are set to start after Easter, with a handful of new one-way systems, cycle lanes and speed limits at the heart of the changes. They come as part of the new Pier to Pier Way between Westonsuper-Mare and Clevedon which will provide a route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders between the two towns.
It is hoped this will aid North Somerset Council’s commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and tackling the climate emergency. The changes include a new 20mph speed limit alongside a one-way system stretching around Elton Road, Hill Road and the Beach.
The plans have been met with a sizeable amount of opposition however, with MP Liam Fox branding the changes the “craziest plans I’ve seen in my 30 years as an MP”.
A petition to stop the work has gathered just under 4,000 signatures.
Work on Hill Road is due to begin after the Easter holidays and take up to eight weeks to complete. Improvements to the beach will start in the autumn when footfall is lowest. This will avoid all key holiday dates in order to minimise the impact on local businesses and retain enjoyment of the area during the summer.
The makeover is expected to cost around £500,000 and is part of the £175m grant from the Department for Transport (DfT), which will see new safe routes for people to walk and cycle safely built this year.
The scheme will involve introducing:
A 20mph speed limit Pavement widening and better crossings facilities
More seating and greenery More car parking overall through new spaces on Elton Road despite the reduction of spaces on the beach
Dedicated loading bays for delivery drivers
Cycle lanes and cycle parking on Hill Road and The Beach
One-way roads on key streets to promote simplified road layout, pedestrian priority and better road safety.
The new parking spaces on the beach will run parallel with the road as opposed to opposite (as they currently are), so although reducing the amount of actual parking on the road, additional spaces created on Elton Road will actually increase the number of spaces overall. The new threemetre cycle lane would be built in a way so it remains a distance away from car parking, to avoid any potential collisions with people leaving their vehicles.
The 20mph speed limit would come into force on the Beach, Alexandra, Corpse, Elton, Woodlands and Hill roads.
Significant changes to Hill Road would see widened pavements and the introduction of potential ‘parklets’ which would see businesses offered the opportunity to adopt parking spaces - semi-permanent platforms which offer traders the opportunity to ‘spill out’ onto parking bays to help aid the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Four new crossing facilities will also be created, with these creating a visual feature to support compliance of the new speed limit. The pavement widening will be provided for the entire length of the street and create room for seating, cycle parking and trees.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for sustainable travel, said: “We consulted extensively on the draft proposals in April 2021 and the scheme was amended with local input and knowledge from residents and businesses.
“This scheme is backed by local councillors, Clevedon Town Council, Clevedon Business Improvement District (Bid) and the Pier Trust. Many other interested parties have also helped with the development of the scheme and are in favour of the amended improvements.
“We feel we have the right scheme now and have changed the timescales for implementing it to minimise any disruption to businesses during the busy summer and holiday periods.”