Safety scheme in West Coker Road hits a snag

PLANS for pedestrian safety improvements along one of the busiest roads in Yeovil look set to be scuppered – for the time being at least.

There were proposals to install ‘pedestrian refuges’ along West Coker Road to help people cross the fast-moving road.

A spokesman for Yeovil Town Council said: ‘’This initiative has been put forward in the interests of pedestrians crossing this busy road and is supported by the results of the Speed Indicator Devices that are installed from time to time to monitor the speed of passing traffic.’’

But members of Yeovil Town Council’s buildings and civic matters committee will be told on Tuesday that the initiative – which were to be funded by the health and well-being budget of local county council member Cllr Dave Greene – had hit a problem.

The council spokesman added: ‘’The police have since raised concerns about the width of the road that would be available for the abnormal loads that occasionally use this route and, as there is no suitable alternative to send these vehicles, they have requested that the Highways Authority considers this issue.’’

Councillors will be told that the Highways Authority has recently indicated that to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles, they will reconsider the design and look at other options to assist people crossing West Coker Road and to help slow traffic speeds.

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