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The council has appointed independent experts AECOM (subject to contract) to review changes made to Hill Road and The Beach after criticism from a number of residents and businesses.
The scheme was designed to support North Somerset's commitment to providing sustainable travel routes to encourage more cycling and walking as well as reducing car travel.
The first stage of the scheme focused on the Hill Road area and included the widening of pavements on the north side of the road, new crossing points, road resurfacing, new road markings, a one-way system, the contraflow cycle lane and a 20mph limit.
The second stage of works to The Beach provided a new 20mph limit, public realm improvements, new crossing points and a segregated cycle lane, forming the start and end point of the Pier to Pier Way.
Since May the council has arranged a number of pieces of work to inform the independent review:
- Last month Active Travel England visited Clevedon to inspect compliance with the government funding agreement for the scheme, following the engagement of local MPs with the Department for Transport and Parliament.
- External contractor engineers have been commissioned to conduct the scheme’s Stage 3 Post-Implementation Safety Audit. This is part of the normal statutory and council process for any significant investment scheme and will take place early this month.
- Audit West are currently reviewing how the scheme was brought forward and implemented, including the consultation and decision-making that took place.
After the May local elections, the new partnership administration of North Somerset Council committed to engage openly with the public through the review.
Later this month council leaders will hold a public meeting to kickstart the review opportunities for the community to give feedback on the impact of the project and any changes needed.
Clevedon South ward councillor Hannah Young, who is also North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for active travel said: “As a Clevedon resident myself, I hear local opinions about the scheme on a daily basis and see the way it is being used by cars, cyclists and pedestrians. There is no doubt that it has been controversial. I regularly receive positive as well as negative feedback from members of the community and many suggestions for improvements. The review process will mean that the concerns raised about the design – its safety, accessibility, aesthetics, parking arrangements and effectiveness in meeting its active travel aims - can be explored fully and transparently and costed options provided for any proposed changes.
“We are determined to listen to the concerns of the community and both the Leader of Council, and I will be present at the public meeting and engaged throughout the review to help us to understand and consider the different viewpoints.”
Cllr Mike Bell, the Leader of North Somerset Council continued: "In May, our new partnership administration committed to an independent review of the scheme, to include open engagement with local councillors, residents, businesses, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders.
“We are making good on that promise and the independent review will enable us to hear the concerns of the community, reflect on priorities and make high level recommendations on how we can move forward together.”
More information about the review and how to comment will be made available on the council's website shortly. The public meeting to kickstart community involvement in the review will be held at Clevedon Community Centre, Princes Road on Thursday 20 July at 7pm.