Somerset Live: Weston-super-Mare granted funding to reduce car use in town centre

It comes as part of a wider UK scheme aimed at improving walking and cycling projects outside London

Weston-super-Mare has been handed £310,000 towards two local projects aimed at making the town centre safer and reducing car use by improving walking and cycling routes.

The first project is aimed at developing a ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ in central Weston, where people can live within walking or cycling distance of work, shops, entertainment and cultural venues. The second involves safer walking and cycle routes to local schools, such as Windwhistle and Bournville. Combined, the projects will help treble walking and cycling trips in North Somerset by 2030.

MP for Weston-super-Mare, John Penrose, welcomed the changes and said: “We all know that it’s healthier and greener to walk or cycle if possible, rather than going by car. But that means setting up our streets so they are safe and welcoming spaces for anyone who’s on foot or on two wheels. This Government cash will help create those safe and convenient routes, so we can become healthier, more environmentally sustainable, and save a bit of money on petrol too!”

The money has been granted by the Government – with £2,000,000 going to projects around the UK aimed at creating healthier, free local journeys in order to boost air quality and people’s physical and mental health. The Government’s new executive agency Active Travel England will oversee the delivery of 134 first-rate schemes, backed by £161 million, which include new footways, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings across 46 local authorities outside London.

It comes as North Somerset Council considers implementing a package of measures under its ‘Reclaim Your Streets’ initiative which could see one way systems introduced in Baker Street, Glebe Road and Wooler Road.

Among the changes, Stafford Road could be closed to through traffic or made one-way with a northern exit only and Baker Street could be made one way. A 20mph speed limit could be introduced along Baker Street along with a wider pavement in front of Christ Church Primary School. New cycle lanes are also planned in Milton Road with a westward cycle track in Baker Street.

A public consultation on the plans has now launched with people encouraged to give their views. North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, councillor Mike Solomon, said: “The way that people are using town centres is changing and we need our streets and neighbourhoods to reflect this.

“This is an opportunity for residents and businesses to shape how town centre residential streets look and what we can do to make Weston a better place to live. This is about making the streets a safer and better environment for the people who live there. The proposals will provide better walking and cycling routes rather than these areas just being rat runs for traffic.”

This article was written by Cameron Jenkins and originally published on Somerset Live.