Town councillors have this week given a ‘thumbs down’ to a controversial proposal that they take over the management of Burnham-On-Sea’s Civic Pride regeneration project.
Sedgemoor District Council’s Transport Policy Officer Tom Dougall has written to the Town Council suggesting that it take over the long-running project to redevelop Burnham town centre – which includes the potential pedestrianisation of the High Street.
But Burnham and Highbridge town councillors this week gave the proposal a cool reception during their latest meeting.
Cllr Dennis Davey said: “Sedgemoor seems seems to be trying to push everything on us to reduce its own costs.”
Cllr Phil Harvey said the proposal represents a “poisoned chalice” and he questioned the motives for the plan.
And Cllr Ken Smout added: “It sounded a potentially good idea at first but then you consider who would take the project forward – we would need to employ a new project manager.”
Cllr Neville Jones, who chairs the Civic Pride regeneration group, said: “The plans to redevelop the town are currently in limbo ahead of further discussions in the autumn. Now is not the right time to take them on.”
The Town Council will reconsider the proposal further at its next full meeting in August.
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported earlier this year that plans to pedestrianise part of Burnham High Street had been delayed until September at the earliest.
