Clevedon seafront road markings scheme to be reversed

Residents say the new road markings are confusing and dangerous

Controversial changes to a seafront could be reversed if councillors approve the £425,000 price tag.

In 2022, North Somerset Council introduced a 20mph one-way system and a 400m segregated cycle lane along The Beach in Clevedon.

Following a public consultation, much of the sea-facing parking will be restored, with the two-way cycle path and "bizarre" wavy lines scrapped.

The council executive will meet on 27 March to vote on funding allocation.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the changes were originally made to "make the area safer" by "helping slow traffic down".

The road will not be completely restored, as per the recommendations of a recent review into the scheme by consultants, and the one-way system will be retained.

However, the roundabout will become a standard mini-roundabout and there will be a single contraflow cycle lane.

Campaigners say the roundabout is dangerous as cars do not have enough space to drive around it

Hannah Young, the council's executive member for highways and transport, said: "These changes support the findings of the independent review which was commissioned following concerns from residents and businesses in the town.

"Funding these changes is going to be a huge challenge in our current financial climate, but we are committed to completing the work as soon as possible with minimal impact on the businesses in the area."

Ms Young added that should the funding be approved next week, the council will involve local residents in finalising and implementing the plans.

Campaign group Save Our Seafront said the new road marking appeared in the "dead of the night"

"The council tries hard to respond to community concerns and balances the different priorities it faces across towns and parishes," she continued.

"Clevedon seafront has been a key priority for the Clevedon community. The changes proposed are a priority because they focus on safety or addressing disability access issues."

North Somerset Council would need to take £153,000 out of its budget, along with £50,000 which had been allocated to repairing the slipway in Clevedon, to help meet the estimated £425,000 cost needed to fund the works to the road.

Other sources of funding for the works would include another unallocated £21,000 from the Great Lakes project, along with section 106 money from developers and local transport plan funding.

If funding is approved, work could start in autumn, with the council hoping it could be completed by the end of the year.