Worried councillors in Burnham-On-Sea have this week called for safety improvements to be introduced at a busy road junction where it is claimed an ‘accident is waiting to happen.’
County councillors Peter Clayton and John Woodman, plus district councilor Joe Leach, say urgent action is needed at the Pier Street traffic lights, pictured here.
Cllr Clayton said: “Many complaints have been received from local people about the service road from Morrisons onto Pier Street, which has become very dangerous to cross.”
“The safety bollards in the centre refuge were removed during the recent work to introduce new traffic lights and the junction is also very poorly lit.”
“Traffic often comes round the corner quickly and it can be difficult to see crossing pedestrians,” he told Monday’s meeting of the Town Council.
Cllr Clayton added that requests to the County Council’s Highways Department to improve safety has been met with a poor response.
“We’ve been told that nothing can be done until the end of the summer tourist season, which is unacceptable. Leaving it for six months is too long.”
“This junction urgently needs looking at, which is why we’re asking the County Council to take action. At the very minimum we’d like to see new signs introduced as a temporary measure to warn motorists to take extra care.”
Cllr Leach added: “I have received several complaints from people in my ward, and keep being told by the County Council that they will look at it after the summer season, which isn’t good enough.”
Cllr Neville Jones told Monday’s meeting: “It took ten weeks and almost £250,000 for Somerset County Council to introduce new traffic lights at this junction and at the end of it, Burnham has been left with a junction that is less safe than before. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Pictured are Cllr Peter Clayton, Joe Leach and John Woodman at the busy Pier Street road junction on Monday evening
