Driverless vehicles part of seafront revamp plan
DRIVERLESS vehicles could soon be travelling along Weston-super-Mare prom – as part of ambitious plans to revitalise the town.
North Somerset Council is investigating the possibility of introducing autonomous vehicles, operated via a GPS signal, on the seafront and around the town centre as part of its 10-year Placemaking Strategy for the resort.
Ideas include introducing a ‘Weston Constitutional’ and ‘The Weston Peculiar’ – a series of walking and cycling routes along the seafront, linking into the town.
The vehicles are likely to be based on the prom and would follow a set route along the seafront and into the town.
Passengers would pay a fee to use the vehicles.
There are also plans, as part of the driverless vehicle idea, to further regenerate the seafront.
This could include making it a better place for runners – including putting down distance markers – and improving the street furniture and regenerating the seafront shelters.
The ideas for the improvements along the seafront were put forward as suggestions in the Weston Wishes consultation held last year.
North Somerset Council executive member for business and economy and employment Councillor Mark Canniford said: “The idea of introducing driverless vehicles on the seafront is something we are currently exploring.
“It is only very much an idea at the moment and we would need to seek a partner to work alongside us on the project. The vehicles would operate along the seafront and then use safe, designated routes into the town centre.”
The introduction of the driverless vehicles will rely on the arrival of 5G technology into the town – something which is also planned.
“We have the technology, why not look to use it? It very much an ambition at the moment,” said Councillor Canniford. “We need to think in different ways and explore lots of different ideas as part of this massive vision to transform Weston.”
The vision also looks at how redundant buildings could be brought into use, possibilities of providing more student accommodation and the creation of more culture and arts opportunities for residents and visitors.
It also contains plans to revamp Marine Lake, utilise empty shops and encourage greater footfall to the High Street.
It also looks at ways to improve Weston’s carbon footprint, provide new homes and boost the visitor economy.
The vision, which has been rubber stamped by North Somerset Council’s powerful executive, has been drawn up by consultants Turner Works in response to the changing face of the High Street accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic and changing shopping habits.
Mr Canniford added: “Coronavirus is accelerating fundamental changes in town centres, with the need to encourage more people to the high street higher than ever.
“This Placemaking Strategy sets out the council’s vision and ambitions for the town, with a concrete plan to help Weston become a healthier, greener and more prosperous place to live, work and enjoy.
“The strategy is an ambition to think about using space in new ways that encourage local people to utilise what Weston has to offer.”
The Placemaking Strategy helped to attract the £1.7 million Government grant received earlier this month, which will fund Weston General Stores, a project focusing on repurposing vacant retail space in the town centre.
This will create space for people to work in the town centre, particularly if they no longer need to commute into an office.