Dear Editor, 

Local residents and drivers from further afield may have noticed the changes being made to the stretch of the A367 between Clandown junction and Dunkerton Hill. 

Although there has been a fair amount of queuing to accommodate the contractors carrying out the work, I have called for many of these safety measures due to the high number of collisions during the past 36 months, especially on the bypass section of this road.

These make nerve-wracking reading, and in the wider context of the whole route from Radstock to Odd Down, demonstrate that pedestrian refuges, coloured anti skid road surfacing, 'Think Bike!' signs and a small speed reduction before the bypass will only go some way to improving these statistics. 

This stretch suffered 80 accidents over the past five years, with 127 casualties including 3 deaths, 8 serious and 69 slight injuries. 

And yet, however, the speed on the bypass itself is not set to be reduced. This is a much called for and fully justified request, with 17 collisions over the past three years. In view of the government's recommendations, not yet fully implemented, Bath and North East Somerset council should find it easier to introduce both this and many more 20 mph speed limits for residential streets in densely populated areas. Major A roads are all to be reviewed, but for residents of Peasedown St John, our bypass, the A367, has already been reviewed by simple observation of the many accidents over the past 3-5 years. 

We all hope that the recommendations to local councils for a reduction of the speed limit on A roads from 60 mph to 50 mph will be put into practice without delay. 

Yours faithfully

Cllr Sarah Bevan  

Peasedown St John, Liberal Democrat

Bath & North East Somerset Council