Published: June 28, 2009
Date set for opening of Burnham-On-Sea's Frank Foley Parkway

The opening date for Burnham-On-Sea's long-awaited Frank Foley Parkway has been set for 2.30pm on Tuesday July 7th, we can confirm.

Work to build the missing link between Love Lane in Burnham and Pepperall Road in Highbridge got underway in March, as reported here, and final plans are now being made for the grand opening, which was initially due to be held in June.

Cllr John Edney, Chairman of Somerset County Council, will open the new section of road. Several Burnham and Highbridge councillors will also attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony next to the plaque pictured above on the big day.

Somerset County Council confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Final preparations are now underway for the opening on July 7th. A short ceremony will be held to mark the occasion."

A new mini-roundabout is due to be completed over the next few days near the southern end of the Frank Foley Parkway, at the junction of Pepperall Road and Burnham Road, and final white lining work is also to go-ahead this week.

Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for the environment, said: "This road is all about improving access to local services for local people. Somerset County Council has worked hard to deliver this final section of road on time and within budget to meet the needs of the residents of Burnham and Highbridge."

A 30mph speed limit will be in place along the whole length of the route following recent concerns that it could become a 'race track', as first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com.

Somerset County Council took the decision in April 2008 to build the final section of the road, when it confirmed that sufficient funds had been secured from local developers for the long-awaited project.

Pictured above is the scene at the Frank Foley Parkway