Glastonbury residents campaign for a safer A39 crossing near Ranger Road, fearing accidents as the road divides homes and shops.
A campaign wants action from Somerset Council for a new crossing near Ranger Road. The council is open to improvements, but they need funding for the project. The campaign held a public meeting January 16 where residents shared their road experiences.
The A39 joins the A361 at a roundabout. A member, Susannah Clemence, said walking to the nearest crossing is unsafe. Two people had near misses recently, with speeding drivers crashing onto pavements. One lorry ended up in someone’s garden.
Official crash data will be sought by the group, because an out-of-control vehicle could cause harm to pedestrians or Millstream residents. People currently use an unmarked crossing. The nearest light-controlled crossing is almost half a mile away near Benedict Street.
Bev Coggan said walking there with grandkids isn’t safe. Schoolchildren cross here often, and older people also cross this busy road, as do people walking their dogs. Many accidents and near misses occur, and a safe crossing is needed soon to avoid deaths.
Clemence says the crossing would help residents and make the town more inviting. Visitors complain about walking near hotels because traffic is heavy and pavements are tight. Fences also make walking difficult around there.
The community wants a light-controlled crossing near Ranger Road, a wheelchair-friendly path down the bank, and safer roundabout exits. They will lobby council members to start the project. The council did a walking plan before, which showed improvements were needed.
The plan identified a crossing near Ranger Road and sought safer roundabout passage for walkers and cyclists. Somerset Council will work with the town council to deliver improvements, but they need outside funding to get it done.