Published: August 20, 2009
Exclusive: First look at proposed new Highbridge town clock

The controversy surrounding plans to board up Highbridge's town clock due to a lack of council funding for repairs takes a new twist today as we reveal proposals to replace it with this brand new clock instead.

Highbridge Chamber of Trade has drawn up detailed plans to replace the three-faced structure with this modern, four-faced clock.

Chamber of Trade Chairman Mike Murphy, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Highbridge does not need patched up - it needs to be renewed. We need a new clock that represents a new future."

The comments come after a public campaign was launched to raise money for repairs to the old clock. It has already raised over £2,300, as first reported here.

And town councillors decided on Wednesday (August 19th) to set-up a sub-commitee to further investigate the financing of the clock and kick off a structural survey of the concrete base, which may be damaged.

Councillors will now also be considering the possibility of replacing the old clock with the new one.

Mr Murphy told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The Chamber has taken up the initiative from the Regeneration Partnership to whom proposals for a new clock were first made two years ago."

"Last year, the Regeneration Partnership held a meeting with Derek Mead to progress the fire-damaged Highbridge Hotel and discuss the possibility of a planning gain of the new clock."

"At that time, Mr Mead told us the housing project on the site to the side and rear of the Highbridge Hotel was proposed as cottage-style housing and not flats."

"He advised us that the plan was to place small units along the Jubilee Gardens area in keeping with the facade of the Highbridge Hotel and to create a square or green in the midst of the housing area, which could be a good place for the clock."

"Although a good idea, we felt then that the clock could occupy a prominent area close to where it formerly stood, in the middle of the current roundabout area."

"Clearly, there could be traffic issues since the traffic coming down the A38 from the Edithmead direction often powers through the roundabout without stopping."

"The main issue is that the existing clock was meant to be a temporary replacement for the original clock."

"The concrete pillar supporting the clock is cracked in several places and we believe has outlived its useful life."

Mr Murphy added: "The most important thing we can do is to raise funds for a new clock."

"Highbridge does not need patched up - it needs to be renewed. We need a new clock that represents a new future."

His comments come after Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report earlier this month that two of the three faces of the current clock are to be boarded up with decorative panels due to a lack of district council money to make much-needed repairs and keep all the clock's faces running on time.

Last week, the 'Save Our Clock' campaign, overseen by Highbridge councillor Joe Leach and former businessman Tom Ashton was launched - and donations have since come pouring in.