Hopes of a cash injection to install rumblestrips along Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront, pictured above, have been a dealt a blow by the County Council – prompting a backlash from town councillors.
In a bid to crackdown on so-called ‘boy racers’ along the southern end of The Esplanade, town councillors had asked for cash help to introduce traffic calming measures.
But the request has been bluntly turned down by highways boss Tony Shire, who said it has “limited impact.” He has also declined an invite to come to the town and discuss the matter further.
Mr Shire, who is Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, said: “We have considered a traffic calming scheme for the Esplanade at Burnham in the Local Transport Plan prioritisation assessment process and it has scored a very low value for money rating primarily because it has a very limited impact on the range of Local Transport Plan indicators we need to address.”
“At present, it would be very unlikely that this scheme will attract Local Transport Plan funding. I am therefore declining your invitation to attend a further meeting to discuss a calming scheme as I feel that the issues have been fully aired in previous meetings.”
Town councillors this week reacted with dismay to what they see as another ‘snub’ by the county council.
Speaking at their meeting on Monday, Cllr Neville Jones said: “This is a most arrogant letter from Mr Shire that takes no account whatsover of the £19,000 of funding we have secured from Burnham Holiday Village and the £10,000 from the Police. This man has no concept of what’s going on.”
County councillor Mike Facey said the letter was a “clear snub to this area” and promised to take up the issue at the council’s next full meeting on May 17th.
Town councillor Peter Clayton added that Burnham’s MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, would also be consulted.
