Concerned residents in Highbridge have this week called on the County Council to improve safety at a road junction where they say “an accident is waiting to happen.”
Residents of Isleport Lane say speed limits should be cut along neighbouring Mark Road and a fence that “severely hampers the visibility of motorists” should be cut back.
Ian Jenkins, the neighbourood watch co-ordinator for Isleport Lane, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’re pushing the county council for urgent changes here before someone is hurt or killed. An accident is waiting to happen.”
“We want the speed limit reduced from 40mph to 30mph just off the roundabout along Mark Road and also urgently need the fence placed along Mark Road besides the reycling centre to be moved further back.”
“The fence and hedge here creates serious visibility problems for motorisist going out of Isleport Lane into Mark Road.”
“We’ve exchanged many letters with the County Council on this already, but have not got anywhere. Something needs to be done.”
Fellow resident David Chandler agrees, telling Burnham-On-sea.com: “The fence creates a blind spot for traffic passing from Isleport Lane into Mark Road.”
“It is incredibly dangerous and increases the likelyhood of a serious accident happening here.”
Burnham-On-Sea.com this week spoke to Somerset Waste Partnership, which owns the land on which the fence is located, but the feedback was not promising.
Bruce Carpenter, Head of Operations, said: “Somerset Waste Partnership take guidance on these matters from the highway authority and they are happy that visibility at the junction of Isleport Lane with Mark Road meets their full requirements and is consistent with many locations in the area.”
“Therefore, although we do try to listen to the views of local people wherever possible, we are not able to carry out the work requested by the residents at this time.”
Highbridge County Councillor John Woodman says he is taking up the issue on behalf of the residents.
Our photos show Isleport Lane residents Ian Jenkins, David Chandler, Aileen Munday and Tina Lukins at the junction where they say urgent changes are needed
