Glastonbury residents 'risk lives' when crossing busy road

Locals say enough is enough - and call for crossing and speed limit reduction.

Tourists and residents are risking life and limb just to get to Tesco or the town centre on foot or by bike in Glastonbury.

At a meeting on Tuesday, April 8, Councillor Jon Cousins led calls for a toucan crossing — which can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists — to be installed across the A39 near the B&Q roundabout. He said the crossing would provide a safe route between the Millstream estate and the Travelodge and Premier Inn, enabling Beckery residents and visitors to reach the town centre and shops without facing speeding traffic.

“This is something that has been of interest to our community for a long time,” said Cllr Cousins. “This council resolves to write to councillor Richard Wilkins at Somerset Council, the portfolio holder related to the highways, to request Somerset Highways install a pedestrian and bike crossing as near as is legally available to B&Q roundabout.”

He said the proposal would help those currently forced to “dodge the traffic to get to the centre of Glastonbury on foot or by bike,” while also allowing town residents better access to the retail estate and Tesco. “I think that this is something that is well overdue. There's certainly a lot of support for it within the town.”

However, Councillor Mike Smyth raised concerns about the speed of traffic in the area. He said: “I do not wish to oppose this motion, it is a very good idea, but I am a little concerned about the speed of the traffic coming off the roundabout. There needs to be a 30mph restriction along that stretch in order for there to be a crossing, or even if it was not another crossing I think there needs to be a speed restriction along the stretch.”

Councillor Paul Manning agreed with the need for a crossing, but questioned the proposed location. “To me, the real thing is linking the Millstream estate to the Travelodge. I would suggest that we do not have the little bit in saying ‘near the B&Q roundabout’ because it would be thrown out, the real need is to have a crossing.”

In response, Cllr Cousins said he and his seconder would be happy to remove the reference to the roundabout if it improved the chances of success.