Residents and tourists in Glastonbury are facing danger while trying to reach Tesco or the town centre by walking or biking.
During a meeting on April 8, Councillor Jon Cousins led the charge for a toucan crossing, catering to both pedestrians and cyclists, to be constructed across the A39 near the B&Q roundabout. This initiative aims to provide a secure pathway between the Millstream estate and the Travelodge and Premier Inn. This would facilitate Beckery residents and visitors in accessing the town center and shops without the risk of encountering fast-moving traffic.
Cllr Cousins stated, “This is something that has been of interest to our community for a long time. This council resolves to write to councillor Richard Wilkins at Somerset Council, the portfolio holder related to the highways, to request Somerset Highways install a pedestrian and bike crossing as near as is legally available to B&Q roundabout.”
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While the proposal received support, Councillor Mike Smyth expressed concerns about the speed of traffic in the area, emphasizing the need for a 30mph speed restriction along that stretch to ensure the safety of the crossing.
Councillor Paul Manning echoed the need for a crossing but questioned the proposed location, emphasizing the importance of linking the Millstream estate to the Travelodge.
In response, Cllr Cousins agreed to remove the reference to the roundabout in the proposal if it improved the likelihood of success.
Providing additional context, Councillor Indra Donfrancesco referred to the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which includes proposals for a 20mph speed limit and more crossings. She highlighted the importance of connecting key town projects with a multi-user path funded through the Robert Richards initiative.
Cllr Donfrancesco added, “We think it would be a really good idea to have a crossing from the Millstream to Travelodge to enable the residents to get to Tesco’s and B&Q, to enable all the tourists to get from the Premier Inn up to the Abbey. This is the key point in the multi-user path linking all the different Town Deal projects and will be of benefit to the residents and be of benefit to the visitors.”
The motion aims to secure funding from Somerset Council for a feasibility study to evaluate the pros and cons of the proposed crossing.