Work is due to begin early next year on a new zebra crossing and highway improvements on The Butts, near the junction with Somerset Road and Water Lane.
Active travel charity Sustrans, with input from Somerset Council, successfully secured central government funding for the crossing. The crossing will complement the Safer School Streets work in the area and address local concerns raised about this busy junction when the Safer School Streets engagement work was carried out.
Cllr Anita Collier, lead councillor for road safety at Frome Town Council, said, “We are delighted to hear that work is due to start in early 2025 on a long-awaited zebra crossing, new speed bumps and other road safety measures on The Butts to make this area safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, residents and road users.
“For as long as I have been a town councillor, people have asked why there is not an official crossing at the busy junction of The Butts and Somerset Road. I have been aware of several campaigns for a crossing in this location as long ago as 2009, as well as other popular crossing points. An official crossing creates clarity about rights of way and makes the road safer for everyone. And road safety, as we know, sadly, can be the difference between life and death.”
Sarah Leeming, South of England director at Sustrans, said, “This new crossing on National Cycle Network Route 24 complements the Safer School Streets work in Frome. During the engagement work carried out since autumn 2021, we sought the views of local residents and families, who shared their ambitions for a safer school run and improved streets. This crossing has been installed in response to concerns raised about this busy junction.
“Designing the streets around schools so that people are prioritised over traffic will make the school run safer, not just for families but for everyone choosing to travel by walking, cycling, and using wheelchairs and children’s buggies.”
Somerset Council conducted a consultation of key stakeholders and residents of The Butts to finalise the plans, which will include sections of raised and coloured tarmac, speed bumps and additional yellow lines, in addition to the new crossing.
Queries about the crossing and about any aspect of the Safer School Streets project can be sent to engage@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
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