Over 100 angry campaigners in Berrow held their first protest march of the year on Saturday (May 1st) to place more pressure on Somerset County Council to introduce a new pavement along Coast Road.
Berrow’s Local Action Team organised the protest, which started at 11am outside Berrow Church, and saw the large group of banner-waving villagers march along Coast Road.
Burnham’s MP David Heathcoat-Amory also gave his support to the protest by attending the march.
Organiser Ken May, who is Berrow Local Action Team Chairman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We had our highest turnout yet with lots of support from local people.”
“Motorists also showed their support, despite the queues, by tooting their horns and giving us the thumbs up. We were also pleased to have the MP in attendance too. It was successful in reminding people that a new pavement is urgently needed here.”
Berrow Local Action Team Chairman Ken May had written to all county councillors, challenging them to attend the protest march and yet only local County Councillor Alan Ham attended.
“The turnout by the county councillors was disappointing – it seems that decisions on schemes like this is being centralised into the hands of a few County Council cabinet members rather than the councillors themselves.”
Mr Heathcoat-Amory said: “I have attended all the previous marches and I am convinced of the need for this road improvement, cancelled by the last Somerset County Council administration.”
The long line of protesters left Berrow Church to march along Coast Road
The protest caused disruption to motorists during one of the area’s busiest weekends of the year
