New road safety initiatives may soon be introduced near Nerrols Primary School in Taunton after a vehicle crashed close to the school’s pavement during the recent Easter holidays.
Located on Nerrols Drive in the Priorswood area, near the busy Venture Way roundabout, the school is a focal point for local traffic concerns. Earlier this year, a crash near the school fence raised urgent questions about the safety of pupils, staff, and residents in the vicinity.
Councillor Tom Deakin, representing Taunton North and leader of Taunton Town Council, called on Somerset Council to take immediate action. During the council’s executive committee meeting on May 6, he emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures beyond the recently installed speed indicator devices (SIDs).
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“After this recent incident and previous close calls, I have engaged with the headteacher and PTA, who share growing concerns for the children’s safety,” said Deakin. “While the SIDs are welcome, they’re insufficient on their own. I’m urging the council to prioritize installing new safety barriers along the most vulnerable stretch of pavement.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for highways and transport, acknowledged that the SIDs were a positive initial step. However, he explained that adding safety barriers is challenging due to the narrowness of the existing cycle lane. “Installing barriers would require pushing them back from the road, which would compromise the cycle lane’s minimum allowed width,” Wilkins noted. Nonetheless, he expressed openness to discussing alternative safety solutions with the school.
In response, Deakin reached out via social media to parents and local residents, inviting community input on potential improvements. “The council says the cycle path is too narrow for more barriers, but I disagree and will continue advocating for stronger protections,” he said on his official Facebook page. “If you use this route—parents, carers, or pedestrians—please share your experiences and ideas about safety concerns or near-misses.”
The council has agreed to engage in further talks with Nerrols Primary School, and arrangements are underway to focus on practical, effective safety measures to protect the school community.