New road safety measures are to be introduced in Old Sodbury following a successful campaign by the South Gloucestershire Conservatives.
Two pedestrian crossings and a traffic calming feature on the entrance into Old Sodbury have been secured to accompany a new housing development. It follows the decision by the Planning Inspector, made in early January, to allow the development of 35 homes on a patch of land south of Badminton Road, opposite Commonmead Lane.
The planning consent requires the developers, Redcliffe Homes, to install a new controlled pedestrian crossing on Badminton Road, another crossing with a central island on the road immediately to the west of the access point and a new gateway feature on Badminton Road to mark the entry into Old Sodbury with the aim of reducing traffic speeds.
All three measures are necessary to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians, and have been championed by the South Glos Conservatives.
Responsibility for building the safety features sits with the developers. The local Conservatives, however, will be pushing the developers to ensure the measures are introduced as quickly as possible.
Cllr Becky Romaine, Conservative councillor on Sodbury Town Council, said: “I’m delighted that after regular campaigning on road safety in Old Sodbury we have been successful in securing these vital measures. Road safety is a top priority for the Conservatives locally and these proposals should go some way towards ensuring better infrastructure is in place."
“We will continue to push the developers to ensure the crossings are built in a timely manner.”
Cllr Steve Reade, Conservative Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure on South Gloucestershire Council, said: “While it’s unfortunate that this appeal was successful, after planning permission was initially refused by the Council, I’m pleased that the Planning Inspector has called for these safety measures to be introduced.
“The local Conservatives have been campaigning for improved safety measures at this location for a number of years and I’m sure residents in the area will be delighted to hear that their concerns have been taken seriously.”
Luke Hall, Conservative MP for Thornbury and Yate, said: "Improving road safety in Old Sodbury is key, and particularly addressing concerns along the busy Badminton Road. With a nursery, primary school, village hall, church and popular pub all in the heart of the village, we need to take action to make sure residents have a safe and dependable crossing. These proposals are a good step to improve the situation and will help to provide appropriate infrastructure to support the village."
