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Published:
November 28, 2008
Exclusive:
Resident calls for pedestrian crossing at 'dangerous' junction
 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."
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