A NEW zebra crossing will be installed on a busy Frome road next year following requests by residents.
The crossing will be situated at The Butts near the junction with Somerset Road and Water Lane – an area that sees a high volume of traffic as motorists use it to access the A361, with cars travelling the other way to access the town centre.
Work will start in early 2025.
The area will also see other highway improvements such as sections of raised and coloured tarmac, speed bumps and additional yellow lines following a consultation of key stakeholders and residents of The Butts by Somerset Council.
Lead councillor for road safety at Frome Town Council Anita Collier says there have been campaigns from residents to install a crossing in the location since 2009.
“We’re delighted to hear that work is due to start in early 2025 on a long-awaited zebra crossing, new speed bumps and other road safety measures on The Butts, to make this area safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, residents and road users,” she said.
“For as long as I’ve been a town councillor, people have asked why there isn’t an official crossing at the busy junction of The Butts and Somerset Road.
“I’ve been aware of several campaigns for a crossing in this location as long ago as 2009, as well as other popular crossing points.
“An official crossing creates clarity about rights of way and makes the road safer for everyone. And road safety, as we know, sadly, can be the difference between life and death.”
The crossing will complement the Safer School Streets work in the area and responds to local concerns expressed about this busy junction when the Safer School Streets engagement work was carried out.
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Government funding for the new crossing was secured by active travel charity Sustrans with input from Somerset Council.
Sarah Leeming, south of England director at Sustrans, said: “This new crossing on National Cycle Network Route 24 complements the Safer School Streets work in Frome.
“During the engagement work carried out since autumn 2021, we sought the views of local residents and families, who shared their ambitions for a safer school run and improved streets.
“This crossing has been installed in response to concerns raised about this busy junction.
“Designing the streets around schools so that people are prioritised over traffic will make the school run safer, not just for families but for everyone choosing to travel by walking, cycling and using wheelchairs and children’s buggies.”
Queries about the crossing and about any aspect of the Safer School Streets project can be sent to engage@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
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Just wondering why it is so close to the junction if Anita is stood on the area where the crossing will be, and not further to the left, as it is going to make it harder for people coming down Somerset Road to see if people are stood right on the corner to see round them they will have to pull out into the carriage way to turn out left,