CLEVEDON residents and businesses are being invited to find out more about changes to The Beach after concerns were raised regarding safety and accessibility.

North Somerset Council is inviting residents to attend at a drop-in session on Monday, September 9 to discuss the proposed changes.

The event, which will be held at Clevedon Community Centre in Princes Road between 11am and 8pm, will give people the opportunity to view new plans and talk to North Somerset Council officers about the scheme.

The changes follow an independent review of the Clevedon Seafront and Hill Road Public Realm scheme which was commissioned by the council after public concerns around safety and accessibility.

Consultants AECOM completed a technical review of the scheme following extensive consultation with residents, businesses, and stakeholders.

Their report supported improvements made to Hill Road and the new one-way system but suggested changes to The Beach.

These proposals have now been developed and are set to begin on site in February and be completed by summer 2025.

New parking restrictions have already been introduced on The Beach following feedback from residents that their driveways are being blocked by inconsiderate parking in between the marked bays.

The further changes include:

• Re-introduction of sea facing parking

• Retention of the one-way system with a contraflow cycle lane

• Removal of the two-way cycle path and wavy line

• Installation of loading bays and a coach drop off point

• Adjustment of the roundabout to provide a standard mini roundabout

• Improved pedestrian crossing points

• Introduction of vehicular access to the Promenade for boats and ice cream van

• Repositioning of planters

• Improved lineage and signage to support the one-way system.

Further consultation with key stakeholders and businesses on the Beach has taken place and this feedback has been built into the proposals. Clevedon councillors have also been involved in the process.

Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for highways said the council had listened to the local community, acknowledged the findings of the AECOM review and responded by drawing up proposed changes to The Beach.

"These changes support the findings of the independent review which was commissioned following concerns from residents and businesses in the town.

"We have listened to the community and the consultants and we plan to reinstate the sea facing parking, remove the two-way cycle path and adjust the roundabout to a traditional layout which is enabled by the repositioning of the cycle lane.

“I’ve already had good feedback that the new plans will address the problems that residents and visitors have experienced in this area and I hope the changes will make the area easier to navigate for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and disabled users.

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

"The Council tries hard to respond to community concerns and balances the different priorities it faces across towns and parishes.

“Clevedon seafront has been a key priority for the Clevedon community.

“The changes are a priority because they focus on safety or addressing disability access issues.”

The cost of the changes is being met from a variety of funding streams including council reserves, Section 106 money from developers, Local Transport Plan funding and residual funding from the allocation towards the Great Lakes project in Clevedon.

Other external funding sources have been looked at but discounted.

Further information on the scheme can be found at https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/parking-travel-roads/transport-travel/active-travel/clevedon-public-realm-improvements/clevedon-seafront-hill-road-review