Burnham-On-Sea’s MP has today (Saturday, October 24th) offered fresh hope to dozens of protesters who are calling for a new pavement to be introduced along Berrow’s Coast Road.
David Heathcoat-Amory joined almost 50 marchers at the protest, who also included Somerset County Councillor Leader Ken Maddock, District Councillor Tony Grimes and Berrow Parish Council Chairman Jenny Bentley.
The MP told Burnham-On-Sea.com in the video embedded above on this news page: “There’s slightly better news coming forward now. It looks like the new County Council will look at this again but they can only do that after 2011 when the current local transport programme plan runs out.”
“After that, in the next plan I think we can get it back into the programme.”
“Also I have raised it in the House of Commons and the Minister for Transport indicated that there is now more discretion at local government level for these types of schemes so we have an amber light from central government and a more sympathetic hearing from Somerset County Council. We must keep up the pressure – we’re not there yet but I think we’re on the way.”
Berrow’s Local Action Team oversaw the march along Coast Road and its Chairman, Ken May, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he was pleased with how the protest had gone.
“We have had a good turnout for this, our third protest of the year. I am hopeful that the MP’s comments mean the pavement may be moving a step closer at long last.”
The march caused disruption to motorists, with queues of half-term holiday traffic building up.
David Heathcoat-Amory addressing the protesters on Saturday morning
The protesters walked along Coast Road through Berrow
The controversial sign that says it all – no footway for half a mile
Jenny Bentley, David Heathcoat-Amory, Ken Maddock and Ken May
Long queues of traffic built up during Saturday’s protest march
