Published: February 12, 2008
Burnham MP steps up pressure to get Berrow footpath completed

Burnham-On-Sea's MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, has written to Transport Minister Rosie Winterton to try and push forward a scheme to build a footpath along a dangerous stretch of road at Berrow.

The scheme for Coast Road has recently been blocked because it's claimed that the path would not conform with Central Government criteria laid down in the Local Transport Plan.

However, the MP argues that these criteria are primarily for urban areas and are not appropriate for rural areas like Berrow.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory has demanded that the Government Office of the South West examine the scheme in more detail, which has widespread local support from Brean Parish Council, police, residents and safety campaigners.

As pictured here, Mr Heathcoat-Amory met residents in July 2007 besides the Coast Road to discuss the matter and see the problem for himself.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory said in a statement on Monday (February 11th): "The government is riding roughshod over local democracy. It is madness to block this badly needed scheme when it has widespread support and was agreed by Somerset County Council."

"The extra land is available and all the necessary planning had been done before it was blocked by Central Government. I am demanding that the Department for Transport respects local decision making and allows this scheme to proceed."

RELATED LINKS:

MP backs residents' campaign for safer road in Berrow
Online video of statements given by Cllr Ham and Burnham's MP