Hundreds of people have this week signed a petition calling on Burnham and Berrow Golf Club to reconsider its decision not to support plans for a new cycle path along Coast Road.
As Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here earlier this year, council planning officers at Sedgemoor District Council approved the proposals for a £229,000 extension to the cycle route that current runs from Weston to Brean.
But while the planning decision was a key milestone for Greenways and Cycle Routes Limited, the group hoping to build the cycle path, it still needs to get approvals from landowners along the route.
Burnham and Berrow Golf Club says it is unwilling to give up land along Coast Road in Berrow for the cycle path.
Local group Brean Seasonal Caravaners (BSC) has this week launched an online petition here to try and encourage the golf club to change its stance.
Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, BSC spokesman Martin Mills explained: “Over the whole mile and a half stretch from Unity Farm to Berrow Church there are only three land owners on the west side of Coast Road – Unity Farm, Sedgemoor District Council and Burnham and Berrow Golf Club. From what we understand, Sedgemoor and Unity fully support the scheme, whilst the Golf Course remains unconvinced.”
“The path would be placed along the edge of Coast Road which is currently all overgrown at present and it would appear to have very little impact on the golf course based on the current plans. The two tees along the stretch of course both play diagonally away from the road so there would be little danger. The cycle path proposal even allows for the provision of a high fence which will increase security for the golf club.”
“With all that in mind, it would be such a shame for Brean to lose this opportunity without further consideration to its merits. Effectively, this is what we are asking with the petition. We ask the club to look at this again.”
Berrow and Burnham Golf Club said a recent statement: “The Golf Club, through its Board of Directors and Trustees, in principle support the cycle route and the merits of which have been discussed at length with Mr Grimshaw and local Councillors. Regrettably after a comprehensive study by Professional Consultants the Directors have been advised that the current proposal cannot be supported.”
“The reasons relate to the safety of cyclists and others, serious liability issues raised by our Insurers and the need to redesign no less than 7 of 18 holes on the Championship Course. This includes protection measures for members of the public. These are disproportionate to the benefits of the proposal and would create long term disruption to the Golf Course which is ranked in the top echelons of Golf Courses in UK and Ireland.”
“The Club remains open to exploring further opportunities in creating pedestrian links from Berrow to Burnham and will continue to work with the local Councillors in this regard.”
Pictured: Land on the route of the proposed cycle path through Berrow
