The second stage of a scheme to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists in Clevedon, West Sussex begins in October.
Work to The Beach will complement improvements already made to the Hill Road area of town, which will be finished off from this week.
The scheme is part of the eagerly anticipated Pier to Pier Way between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon.
When it’s completed early next year, it will provide an attractive new route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders between the two towns. This will encourage more walking and cycling and is part of North Somerset Council’s commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and tackling the climate emergency. Work to The Beach will provide a new 20mph limit, public realm improvements and a segregated cycle lane, forming the start and end point of the Pier to Pier Way.
This will remove cyclists from the prom and its design provides pedestrian priority crossing points over the cycle route. Work is expected to be completed before Christmas. The majority of the first stage of the scheme has now been completed on Hill Road, including widening the pavements on the north side of the road, wider ‘build out’ pavements, new road resurfacing, road markings, a one-way system, the contra flow cycle lane and a 20mph limit.
Construction of the scheme is now set to cost around £694,000 due to additional works requested through consultation with local residents and traders, better quality public realm materials appropriate for the conservation area and current global inflation. All additional funds needed are from external grant funding sources from the Department for Transport specifically for active travel and transport schemes.
Both Hill Road and The Beach will also be resurfaced slightly ahead of council maintenance schedules in order to minimise any disruption and provide a new road surface.
Cllr Steve Hogg, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for active travel said: “General feedback from visitors and local traders has been positive following the completion of most of the Hill Road scheme.
“We have had reports of slower traffic speeds, people spending longer in the area for shopping and more cyclists present. The wider footways are proving useful on the north side of the road for pedestrians and shoppers with more room for chairs and tables. “This is all assisting the economic recovery which is great news for the town and all its vibrant businesses.”
