FOLLOWING the review into the Clevedon seafront and Hill Road active travel scheme, the next steps will be decided at a council meeting next week.

From 2.30pm on Wednesday, December 6, North Somerset Council's Executive will meet to consider the outcomes of the review and determine what should happen next.

The review, which was lead by transport design and engineering experts AECOM, was launched to address concerns raised by local people and businesses.

This included concerns over parking, access for disabled people, and the impact that the changes have had on trade.

One of the frustrations that residents share is motorists who park illegally and inconsiderately in The Beach and Hill Road areas, which can make it difficult for local people to leave their homes.

The review report has been supportive of many elements of the scheme, such as the 20mph zone, the way one system and the improvements made to Hill Road.

A number of recommendations were also mentioned.

The report for consideration has been published today. It makes a number of recommendations for councillors to consider, including:

  • Implementing the recommendations of the scheme’s safety audit;
  • Retaining the one way system and changes to Hill Road;
  • Requesting council officers develop options for funding and implementation of the review’s recommendations for more substantial changes to the scheme on The Beach;
  • Approving further engagement with Active Travel England, ward members and Clevedon Town Council on the next steps;
  • Agreeing that another report should be considered at a special meeting of the council’s Executive in March 2024 for the purpose of setting out potential funding options for the recommended changes and a way forward.

Cllr Hannah Young, executive member for Highways and Transport, said: “I’m pleased that we’re able to get the review’s findings in front of the Executive so soon after receiving the report and having shared it with the public.

“With Executive approval of the next steps we’ll be able to progress quickly with developing detailed proposals for scheme changes, costing these and identifying funding options and timescales.

“Executive will then be in a position to agree the extent of the work, how to fund it and when changes should be made at a special meeting in March.”