A worried Burnham-On-Sea resident has this week launched a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing introduced at what he calls an “extremely dangerous junction where an accident is waiting to happen.”
Terence Williams wants safety improvements made at the busy intersection of Burnham Road and Pepperall Road, pictured here.
He has written to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, where he has already gained support for the scheme, and lobbied Somerset County Council’s Highways Department, but has yet to convince them that spending is needed.
The junction is particularly busy during the daytime when large amounts of traffic visits the nearby Highbridge Medical Centre in Pepperall Road and local schools.
It’s set to become even busier in 2009 with the scheduled completion of the Frank Foley Parkway and the development of new housing at the former radio station site.
Mr Williams, who lives nearby, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The pedestrians attempting to cross Burnham Road, either to get to the Medical Centre or to the nearby bus stops, take their lives into their hands and it is only a matter of time before there is a serious injury or death here.”
“I have witnessed several near misses and even motorists having difficulty entering Burnham Road from Pepperall Road due to the endless stream in both directions at peak hours.”
“All year round, Burnham Road carries a huge volume of traffic, including buses from seven routes. I recently counted 100 vehicles passing this junction in just one minute and it will become even worse over the coming year.”
Mr Williams has discussed the matter with Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, and its clerk, Eileen Shaw, told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “We agree that something needs to be done here.”
“We’re happy to support Mr Williams but it may be difficult to get funding. There’s a possibility that the work could be tied in with the completion of the Frank Foley Parkway over the next year.”
Mr Williams says he has been told by the County Council that the cost of a new pedestrian crossing at the site could stretch into tens of thousands of pounds – a figure that bewilders him.
“I find it incredible that the County Council says a crossing could cost around £50,000 when all that’s needed are several black and white stripes on the road, a set of poles either side and a connection to the existing power supply.”
