A PROPOSAL to pedestrianise Berkley Lane and Dark Lane in a bid to combat fly-tipping, has received the support of Frome Town Council.
Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council are currently informally consulting on proposals to pedestrianise the two lanes just outside of Frome, which they have described as the district’s “biggest fly-tipping hotspot”.
Two suggestions have been put forward for consideration by the district and county council – one closing a section of Berkley Lane; and the other closing both Berkley Lane and Dark Lane.
The option to permanently close both lanes to vehicles has received the unanimous backing of the town council.
“It makes perfect sense,” said cllr Richard Ackroyd at a meeting of the town council’s planning committee last week.
However, cllr Ackroyd raised concerns that closing the lanes may push the fly-tipping problem elsewhere. The councillor highlighted that when the lanes were previously temporarily closed, fly-tipping increased in the neighbouring county of Wiltshire.
In their response to the informal consultation, the town council has suggested that there be more work done across the two counties to tackle the problem of fly-tipping.
And the town council has also stressed that the lanes should remain accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.
According to Mendip District Council, the fly-tipping hotspot has cost the council and tax-payers “considerable amounts of money” due to the vast quantities and frequency of fly-tipping clearances.
“We have seen evidence that when these lanes are closed to vehicles, we can see a reduction in fly tipping of 90% and a reduction in cost of more than £50,000 annually at this location,” said Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for community health and services, cllr Heather Shearer.
“Alongside this, we see an improved community amenity for local residents to enjoy, particularly by making walking, riding and cycling safer and it protects the countryside from unsightly and damaging environmental crime.”
The local consultation survey and further information can be found here: www.mendip.gov.uk/survey
If you require a copy of the consultation survey in a different format, please contact customer services on 0300 303 8588 or www.mendip.gov.uk/contactus
The consultation runs until Sunday 12th September. The findings of this informal consultation, along with a report, will be presented to the full council of Mendip District Council on 27th September, so that next steps can be debated.
