Residents moving into newly built affordable homes in Street, Somerset, now have a safer and more convenient route to Clarks Village shopping centre, following the completion of a significant road improvement project.
Somerset Council initiated extensive roadworks on the A39 Westway earlier this year, replacing traffic lights at several key junctions and carrying out major resurfacing work. As part of this project, contractor Octavius built a new shared-use active travel link connecting the Farm Road underpass to the Street roundabout, where the A39 meets B3151 Somerton Road.
This new pedestrian and cycling path benefits residents of 33 affordable homes recently constructed on Portland Road by Aster Housing, a Devizes-based developer. The route offers easy access to Clarks Village and other local amenities, encouraging sustainable travel options over car use. These homes were approved in June 2025 under the Mendip Local Plan Part II allocation and received full legal agreement by March.
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The same planning committee has since approved outline plans for 65 additional homes on nearby Moorland Road, including 20 affordable units, supporting the growing housing needs of the area.
Councillor Liz Leyshon, representing the Street division, expressed optimism about the upcoming developments: “I’m hopeful construction will begin soon at the Aster site. Young people frequently ask me when affordable housing will be available to rent or buy here.”
Residents from both Portland and Moorland Road can access the A39 Westway via existing footpaths that pass through Woods Batch green space and along Grange Road. From there, the Farm Road underpass connects directly to the fresh active travel link near Barn Close, leading to Clarks Village’s main entrance.
The new pathway extends to crossings over Somerton Road and connects with a narrower footpath along The Causeway, providing pedestrian and cycling access into Glastonbury across the River Brue. Councillor Leyshon is actively campaigning for improvements to this stretch, aiming to widen the path to better accommodate heavy pedestrian use.
On her official Facebook page, she noted: “It’s wonderful to see so many people using the new path. I’m now focused on enhancing the section between the main roundabout and Pomparles Bridge, which is heavily used but currently too narrow.”