A coastal road in Somerset, described by locals as “scary” and “dangerous,” is poised to become much safer for pedestrians and cyclists thanks to ambitious plans from Somerset Council.
The council’s newly published Burnham and Highbridge Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) highlights multiple improvements to enhance safety and accessibility in the area. Among the four prioritized routes is the stretch of the B3140 Berrow Road that links Burnham-on-Sea with Berrow and Brean—key destinations for holidaymakers arriving off the M5 to enjoy nearby caravan parks and holiday villages.
Residents have long expressed concerns about the route, which suffers heavy summer congestion and lacks dedicated cycling lanes and pedestrian crossings. Notably, there is no pedestrian crossing for nearly a mile between Manor Park and the Applegreen petrol station, and vast sections—including the entirety of Coast Road between Manor Way and the Hurd Lane bus stop—lack proper pavements.
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The LCWIP also notes several wide, busy junctions along the route, such as Sea View Road and Victoria Street, which pose serious challenges for pedestrians and vulnerable road users.
Local voices underscore the urgency of the upgrades. Gill Waddington warns, “This stretch of road is an accident waiting to happen,” while Sonya Priddy describes walking the bends with her grandchildren as “scary.” Others confirm that safety improvements have been long overdue.
Earlier efforts to create a safer corridor—the ‘Berrow Greenway’—have been stalled since planning permission was granted in 2018. That initiative aimed to establish an off-road path connecting Berrow to Burnham-on-Sea, linking further to the Brean Down Way and Weston-super-Mare. However, the scheme depended heavily on cooperation from local landowners, including Burnham and Berrow Golf Club, and was never completed.
Until such a route materializes, beach walking remains the only continuous off-road option, which is often impractical due to weather and tides.
Somerset Council indicates that the greenway concept could be revived, provided it meets updated Department for Transport design standards (LTN1/20). Meanwhile, the council plans to channel funds from a recent £684,781 grant awarded by Active Travel England toward designing and implementing new walking and cycling infrastructure throughout Somerset.
A detailed proposal on fund allocation will be presented to the council’s executive committee in October, signaling progress toward a safer journey for residents and visitors alike along this vital coastal corridor.