Image
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."
A few final elements of the Hill Road scheme still need to be completed and these will start this week, from Monday 5 September:
• Wider 20mph area work - for all roads between Elton Road, Sixways, The Beach and Hill Road as part of improvements to road safety. The rest of the cycle white lining will be completed at the same time and could take up to three days depending on the weather. Work will take place at night to minimise disruption to businesses and the public. The 20mph road markings and one-way plates will be installed the same week.
• Additional parking spaces in Elton Road - approximately 28 bays near Sixways and a further 12 towards the Green Beach will be created.
• Outdoor seating for businesses and planting areas – work is due to start in Autumn. Local traders are already applying to North Somerset Council’s licensing team for areas for chairs and tables, and there are plans to add planters which will be maintained by traders.
• Parking enforcement on Hill Road - will begin soon. Double ‘ticks’ preventing stopping or loading on the double yellow lines are due to be installed opposite Sainsbury’s to ensure road widths are maintained so vehicles can pass.
Local traders in Hill Road are holding a family event on Saturday 17 September to celebrate the Hill Road phase of the scheme being completed. Events take place from 11am to 4pm, including live music, cooking, coffee masterclasses, book signings and more.
Stage two of the scheme, The Beach, is due to start from Monday 17 October. The aim is to have it substantially completed by Christmas.
More local improvements will also be made over the coming months. These will include:
• An upgrade to pendant lighting
• Repairs on the slipway
• Investment in The Pier
• Installing power in Alexandra Park for Christmas lights and future permanent lighting
• A woodland play area in Alexandra Park - coming next spring.
Find out more about the scheme at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/clevedontravelimprovements