A survey which shows there is strong support among of Burnham-On-Sea residents for a proposed vehicle-free area in the town’s High Street has been drawn into question this week.
Just 23 people sent back feedback to the district council by the end of a formal consultation period on the proposed partial pedestrianisation of the High Street between Cross Street and Adam Street.
The results – which Burnham-On-Sea.com shows in full at the bottom of this page – were gathered after last month’s public exhibition on the scheme.
According to the study, two thirds of residents believe introducing a vehicle-free zone will offer a more pleasant shopping environment and over 50% think pedestrianisation will not cause problems in the High Street.
But Civic Pride Steering Group’s Alex Turco told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Figures are figures and I respect the opinions of the 23 residents who responded, but I do not think this is a representative sample which shows the real feelings of residents and business in Burnham town centre.”
And he added that he cannot see a traffic-free zone being introduced in the High Street next Easter as originally planned.
“There are eleven traffic regulation order objections which have to be resolved before the project can proceed.”
“The objections cover important issues such as delivery times and access, which will probably need to go before a formal panel for a decision. That process alone can take several months. I cannot see the project going ahead in time for next Easter.”
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported last month how the plans had been given a thumbs-down by Burnham Chamber of Trade members, who fear the scheme will hurt their trade.
Meanwhile, Burnham Civic Pride steering group members will meet again this month to decide how to proceed. A Sedgemoor District Council spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The Civic Pride group is considering information about the estimated cost of the scheme, reviewing the detailed layout drawings and assessing the results of Somerset County Council’s Road Traffic Order consultation.”
. BURNHAM-ON-SEA PEDESTRIANISATION SURVEY RESULTS IN FULL
The following diagrams illustrate how residents have expressed their views on Burnham-On-Sea’s pedestrianisation scheme:
Two thirds of people want to see the rest of Burnham High Street improved in the future. A market is the most favoured open-air activity for the traffic-free area.
The survey found two thirds of people think the paving materials for the pedestrianised area are a ‘good’ choice, and around 60% think 6am-10am is a suitable time window for delivery vehicles to use the pedestrianised area.
Two thirds of people say they ‘don’t know’ about the options for street furniture for the vehicle-free zone. A majority of people think pedestrianisation will not cause problems in the High Street.
A majority of residents say a traffic-free zone will offer a more pleasant shopping environment in Burnham and will also make movement easier for pedestrians and wheelchairs
