Town gets first look at 'wiggly lines' replacement

A set of double-yellow lines were added to the scheme earlier this year

Residents of a town where "wiggly lines" were painted as part of a scheme aimed at improving road safety have had a first look at its replacement.

The controversial changes by North Somerset Council to Clevedon seafront cost about £1m - but the council said it would now be spending an additional £425,000 to replace them.

The 2022 scheme included a segregated two-way cycle lane, fewer spaces in parallel bays and wavy road markings, as well as a 20mph speed limit and one-way system.

The replacement scheme includes a physical mini roundabout to replace a painted one and the parking bays returned to their former position.

'Key priority'

Double yellow lines were painted on the road in July after residents said their driveways were being blocked by cars parked between the marked bays.

An independent review of the seafront scheme said the one-way system should remain but the two-way cycle lane should be reduced in size and the wiggly lines removed.

North Somerset Council said the seafront had been a "key priority" for residents and it had "listened to the community".

Several protests have taken place in backlash to the plans over the last year.

The revision work is due to begin in February 2025 and be completed in time for next summer.

A large circle was painted in the road as part of the scheme which North Somerset Council said was a roundabout

Dom Lacey, who runs Escala, a tapas restaurant on the seafront, said the initial works had a "drastic impact" on his business.

He said the business saw a £100,000 drop in turnover due to "people avoiding Clevedon" and it had taken months for people to start coming back.

"We've had customers ring up and cancel because they can't find parking," he said.

"Now getting a little bit back to normal, but it's equally frustrating because they're going to start more roadworks to rectify what they put in place last year."

'Laughing stock'

Jenny Jose, who has lived in Clevedon for more than 40 years, joined some of the protests against the plans.

"I think the new plans are a vast improvement on what's there at the moment," she said.

"We've been very much let down by former planners. It's been a disaster to use for many people.

"[We can] give Clevedon its name back instead of the name for insanity. We're quite the laughing stock, or at least the planners are."

Councillor Hannah Young said she had spoken to affected residents

North Somerset councillor Hannah Young said residents felt they hadn't been listened to when they raised early objections to the scheme.

"I hope that now they feel we have taken the time. I personally have taken the time to try to address the issues that had an impact on their lives," she said.

The council said funding the changes to the scheme was a "huge challenge in the current financial climate" but it was committed to completing the work "as soon as possible with the least possible impact on the businesses and residents in the area".