Alterations to road markings at a busy Burnham-On-Sea junction have not made it any safer, town councillors were told this week.
Residents living near the junction of Oxford Street and Priory Gardens, pictured above, say chevrons painted on to the junction to divert traffic have not helped to make it any easier for motorists leaving the road.
“Visibility down Oxford Street is still a problem due to the closeness of parked vehicles to the junction. This makes it dangerous for cars trying to leave Priory Gardens,” said resident Mrs Lovell.
She is asking the Town Council to consider reducing the number of parking bays by two car lengths. However, a report by Burnham Police on the matter did not fully back up her calls.
“Inspector Baker’s advisor on street matters has looked at the junction and reported back that whilst visibility was compromised slightly, the perceived danger was greater than the actual danger. He did say that loosing one parking space might help the sight line for vehicles trying to turn right out of Priory Close,” said a town council spokeswoman.
“Inspector Baker said that legally the County Council could limit the weight of vehicles parking but he did not know of any way to differentiate between vehicles of varying heights.”
It was agreed that the town council’s deputy Clerk would ask Somerset Highways if they could limit the size of a vehicle other than by weight, if not the Town Council would need to decide whether Priory Gardens was any worse than exiting other junctions in the town.
Discussing the matter at their latest meeting, Cllr Dennis Davey said “the problem is no worse here than at certain other junctions in the town,” while Cllr Ken Smout agreed, adding he could not remember hearing about any accidents at the junction.
