Seafront scheme faces questions

CAMPAIGNERS fighting changes to Clevedon seafront have enlisted the expertise of a highways consultant – to question whether the correct planning process for the scheme has been followed.

The Save our Seafront (SOS) campaign say they believe North Somerset Council has not properly followed the statutory processes for the scheme to go ahead.

Work on the controversial scheme, which will see a road made one way, started last month and will see a 400-metre segregated cycle lane installed along the seafront. A new 20mph limit will come into force and the parking reconfigured parallel with the promenade. New crossing points will be installed along with landscaping and seating and 25 new cycle stands. Additional parking will be provided along Elton Road.

The project will provide a new route for walkers and cyclists and forms part of the Pier to Pier link between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon. Despite a wave of objections, a 5,500-name petition and pleas for the scheme to be scrapped, the council continues to move ahead with the project.

The SOS group is to now submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to North Somerset Council asking whether it has completed a number of studies and followed procedures for the scheme to go ahead.

A spokesman for SOS said “The FOI will ask questions as to whether the planning process has been followed properly. There are certain things which we believe the council has not considered, such as the impact of the scheme on disabled people.”