Fresh calls have been made for safety improvements along a busy Burnham-On-Sea road this week after a new survey revealed over half of drivers are exceeding the 30mph limit.

A speed indicator device installed in Burnham’s Stoddens Road recorded 53% of drivers exceeding the 30mph limit during an 11-day period during December.

The study of 19,282 vehicles found 9,907 were over the limit and drove between 30mph-40mph, while 418 vehicles travelled between 40mph-50mph, and 12 vehicles travelled over 50mph.

Burnham town councillor Ken Smout, who has campaigned for extra safety measures along the road, told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “The figures are quite a shock. They show the problem of speeding in Stoddens Road is not due to holidaymakers – it’s residents, so we are our own worst enemy.”

“I’d like to see more traffic calming measures and more done by the police to identify the peak times of the day, so that intelligence-led checks can be carried out to catch the drivers.”

And Burnham’s County Councillor, Peter Burridge-Clayton, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The results certainly highlight that traffic calming measures are needed in Stoddens Road.”

“I’m pleased that I have two schemes going ahead this financial year to address the problems – one will be near Rectory Road where extra signs and an anti-skid road surface are to be introduced, and the other is at the sharp bend near the BASC Ground entrance where extra traffic calming measures are to be introduced.”

The work, which is due to be completed before April – weather permitting – is aimed at reducing traffic speeds following several accidents in recent years.

There have been several crashes at the busy BASC Ground bend where cars have gone into the ditch. And at the Rectory Road bend, several cars have collided with house walls.

Officers from Burnham Police said this week that extra speed checks are likely to be carried out during coming weeks in response to the results.

Somerset County Council installs the speed indicator devices (SIDs) along roads where there are concerns about speeding. The devices display the speed of approaching vehicles and record the information in order to assess the need for targeted action.

 
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