WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of Highways, Car Park & Brook Committee held at the Council Rooms, Grants
Lane, Wedmore on Wednesday 29th September 2021 at 7.00pm
Present: Councillors Mr A Smith (Chair), Mrs I Beacom, Mrs J Candy, Mrs P Costello, Mr D Cox,
Mrs J Farley, Mr D Kirley, Mr J Newton
In Attendance: Mr R Pring (Clerk)
Before the meeting started the Chairman advised that he had invited Aileen Fletcher, SCC Highways
Engineer to the meeting but she had been advised against attending due to covid regulations.
Both he and she were very disappointed with this decision.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Mr A Landers, Mrs S Worrall
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 31ST
MARCH 2021
The minutes had been circulated to all members with no comments received.
RESOLVED: that the Chairman be authorised to sign as a correct record.
3. MATTERS ARISING -.
A. BLACKFORD GATEWAY –
B. YELLOW LINES IN WEDMORE –
C. SID POSTS AND EXTENSIONS –
D. CHEDDAR ROAD SIGNS UPGRADE – The Chairman said he would continue to followup
all these issues with County in order to get a speedy resolution..
4 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – Nil,
5. PRIORITIES – The Chairman ciculated latest figures downloaded from the SID on
Cheddar Road near the cemetery. It had been in place for three and a half months. 58% of
vehicles exceeded the 30 mph limit with 85% travelling at 38mph or less. 15% of drivers
exceeded 38mph. It was noted that the police had been carrying out physical speed checks
during the past month. There followed a lengthy discussion on the figures and the way
forward. The Chairman had researched figures of people killed or injured in the County
between 2000 and 2010. These were latest figures available and demonstrated that
Government targets to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries had been met in
Somerset between 2000 and 2010. Government targets are used by County to determine
road safety priorities. Members felt that the Committee should encourage more walking
within the village and improving the signage at the car park. Cllr Costello agreed to look into
extra signage. Cllr Candy suggested that some shopkeepers were parking all day in Church
Street and The Borough and perhaps we should look at restricted parking along these roads.
This would require more yellow lines and new Traffic Orders and would need the support of
the Highways Engineer. Parking in Cheddar Road outside the village hall was resulting in
several near misses and the extension of yellow lines should be a priority. It was noted that
the only EV charger in the village outside the George Hotel was broken and more were
required. It was suggested that Pilcorn parking bay would be ideal as would the Borough Mall
although permission from the powner woul;d be needed. Cllr Beacom suggested that they
should be placed in “safe” locations as some drivers were reluctant to use dark or hidden
locations.The Chairman suggested that he and 3 or 4 other members should compile a list of
priorities for further consideration. ACTION – AS, DC, PC
6. PILCORN STREET PAVEMENT PROPOSALS – The Chairman said this suggestion
should be moved forward now that S106 funding was available. There were questions of land
ownership to be resolved and a full consultation with local residents would be required. The
Council may have to employ consultants to firm up proposals in due course. Cllr Cox agreed
to investigate further. ACTION – DC
7. PROPOSAL FOR SPEED REDUCTION BETWEEN MARK AND BLACKFORD – Cllr Newton outlined
proposals to lobby SCC for a reduced speed limit from 60mph between Wedmore and
Blackford as many vehicles were entering Blackford in excess of 30mph. SCC had carried out
a survey and up to 3,000 cars were using the road daily at an average speed (85th percentile)
of 37-39mph. Cllr Newton highlighted that lowering the speed limit to 30mph for the ~0.8mile
section would not add much time to a journey, <48 secs. The Chairman felt that this was a
rural location and doubted that drivers would comply with a 30mph limit. Members discussed
the issue and thought if the current 60mph limit creates an average speed of 40mph, then a
40mph limit might create an average speed of 30mph, thus making the road safer for all
users. There was little support for the 30mph proposal.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Cllr Newton asked about SID posts at Blackford. The
Chairman advised that he had not received an update from SCC but would continue to press
the matter.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.57pm. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – March
2022