Save Our Seafront protest: residents share anger over road changes in Clevedon
The SOS campaign has seen more than 5,000 signatures as North Somerset Council push ahead with plans
Over the weekend, a campaign to put a stop to changes on the Clevedon seafront saw a large number of residents gather in protest against North Somerset Council's plans.
On Saturday (November 5), the Save Our Seafront (SOS) campaign hosted a peaceful protest, with residents and business owners sharing their view on what they say is the North Somerset Council plan to change the historic seafront forever.
Plans put forward by the local authority include introducing a 400-yard cycle lane between Clevedon Sailing Club and the pier - something the SOS campaign group say will cause a 'massive' reduction in seafront parking - reducing it to a third of its current capacity.
Cathy Hawkins, from the SOS group, said: "There was no call for these plans in the first place. These changes will have a negative impact on local businesses, damage customer traffic, create congestion in residential areas, and reduces parking which already has parking issues.
"The traffic flow will increase pollution and make it awful for people who live on the back streets. There's never been an appetite for this in Clevedon, and these plans just aren't doing what they're supposed to do.
"I don't think North Somerset Council have been listening - they are all mouth and no ears, and it's very sad. Particularly to the businesses on the seafront, this is just not wanted."
Proposals also see the creation of a one-way road along the seafront and a one-way route for all traffic to access Hill Road, whilst a new bus route diverts buses along the seafront. The traffic has to then follow a one-way route up Wellington Terrace to a hairpin bend to access Hill Road or alternately on the narrow side roads with only a hill access to Hill Road.
At the protest, residents were vocal in their agreement against the changes - voicing their concerns, particularly about parking space changes, which are claimed to adversely impact the elderly and disabled the most.
The two-way cycle route along the one-way flow of traffic was also marked as a key concern.
The SOS team say they have 'repeatedly' asked North Somerset Councillors to meet to discuss the ramifications of the scheme - which the campaign group believe to have redesigned to better fit the needs of the local community.
Cathy said: "All we want to do is have a chat with them - and show our alternative scheme, which is better, and would mean we'd retain the parking that we're losing.
"If you read some of the comments on our petition, it makes you want to weep. There's people who bring their elderly parents who love it - who will not be able to look at the seafront anymore. It's just ridiculous.
"To the Council, my message is, 'stop it, come and talk to us about the alternative, and take on board your constituents who don't want this scheme' - you'll find most people you speak to here don't want this to go ahead."
They claim no one from North Somerset Council has responded to their calls for a meeting, however, a member of North Somerset Council did attend the peaceful protest over the weekend.
Outside their vocal campaign over the weekend, their online petition campaign has already gathered the support of more than 5,500 signatures - that's the equivalent to the quarter of the town's population.
The Council's response
North Somerset Council say they have consulted 'extensively' on the scheme to make parts of Clevedon more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.
Over 1,000 comments were made as part of the public consultation which finished in April 2021 and the scheme was amended following excellent local input and knowledge by residents and businesses.
North Somerset Council says it is now satisfied it has the right scheme encompassing a range of views and stakeholder comments.
Local councillors, Clevedon Town Council, Clevedon Business Improvement District (BID), the Pier Trust and other interested parties have also been fully engaged in the development of the scheme.
The improvements complement the Pier to Pier Way which will be completed next year providing an attractive new route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders between Weston and Clevedon.
The proposals for improvements on The Beach and Hill Road include:
• Pavement widening and better crossing facilities
• More seating and planters
• Cycle lanes and cycle parking
• 20mph speed limits
• Additional car parking (in the wider area)
• One-way roads on key streets and traffic calming
The improvements to Hill Road are mainly completed and work on The Beach is set to be finished in December.
The council has been working with the local seafront businesses to minimise disruption during peak holiday periods.
Details of the consultation process can be found here.
You can read more about SOS Clevedon's petition here.