Westerleigh Road to remain open during crossing works

Due to the high costs of closing Westerleigh Road, including providing a shuttle bus, the crossing scheme has been altered slightly so that the work can be done without closing the road. By not making the road quite as narrow as first planned, it will be possible to keep one lane of traffic running at all times with two-way traffic lights. There will be signs warning of delays, so drivers can opt for alternative routes. The work is due to start on 6 April.

Latest on the Westerleigh crossing scheme

You may recall that following the strong response from local residents, officers agreed to fund the white lining on Shorthill Road from a separate budget. They have now announced that despite the fact the contractors will need to close the road for up to three weeks for safety reasons, there is enough money in the crossing scheme budget to extend the kerbing for 60m. The work will be done in April and more information about the road closures will be sent to local residents and businesses nearer the time.

Church Road crossing

After complaints about fast traffic making it difficult to cross Church Road, South Gloucestershire Officers are investigating a pedestrian refuge near the School Road junction. They will be painting the dimensions on the road so that residents can check whether they would still be able to get in and out of their drives.

Crossing scheme update

Thank you to everyone who responded with their views on whether the remains of the crossing budget should be spent on white lining in Shorthill Road or extending the kerbing to the north of the bus shelter. It soon became clear there was strong demand for both options, a view backed by the Parish Council. The good news is that having seen the feedback from residents, officers have now agreed to fund the white lining from a different budget. They cannot yet make a decision on how much kerbing can be provided, as they are still in negotiations with the contractors about the final costs, but hope to decide in the next few weeks.

Crossing scheme - urgently need your views!

During the recent consultation on the crossing scheme by the old Post Office, a number of residents requested a footpath on the eastern side of the road leading to the bus stop and kerbs to prevent vehicles over-running the verge. Requests have been received to extend the proposed kerbs up to the boundary with Leas End/Kenmare.

There are not sufficient funds for a footpath, but it would be possible to extend the kerb line which would entail an additional length of approximately 60m of excavation and kerb installation, plus the provision of top soil within the existing verge and seeding. However, if this work proceeds, there would be insufficient funds to cover white lining work to slow traffic in Shorthill Road, which was requested by residents there when the crossing was first agreed as they fear that the frustration of being slowed by the crossing will encourage drivers to go even faster up the hill.

Claire Young visited people on Shorthill Road/The Quadrangle/Westerleigh Road on Friday to find out their views on which of these options, if either, they would favour. The work is planned to start in February so a decision needs to be made urgently as to which option should go ahead. Please email any feedback to claire.young@southglos.gov.uk by the morning of Tuesday 2nd February.

Have your say on Westerleigh crossing plans

Last December, the Frome Vale Area Forum voted to support the creation of a new crossing on Westerleigh Road by Westerleigh's Old Post Office.

After a pedestrian count showed that numbers were too low for a zebra crossing to be viable, officers drew up plans instead to narrow the road, provide a length of new footway by the bus stop, adding tactile pavement areas and using bollards to prevent parking on the footway. You can now have your say on these plans on the South Glos website.