We have welcomed today’s announcement by the Government
that a bid for extra money to improve transport in
Weston-super-Mare will go ahead.
Called ‘Weston Package’ the investment will see £11 million
added to £4 million already pledged which will fund some
significant transport improvement schemes for both car and
motorcycle drivers, bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Our deputy leader and executive member for strategic planning,
Cllr Elfan Ap Rees said: "I’m absolutely delighted. I know Weston
residents have been frustrated in recent years over the apparent
lack of progress but we have been quietly working behind the scenes
for the past five years to get to where we are today.
Weston Package has also received a huge amount of support from
local businesses and now we will be able to get going on the
improvements next year. Weston is definitely open for
business."
The Weston Package includes:
- Increased capacity at Junction 21
- New bus link from Queens Way to the station
- Bus priority along Elmham Way for buses, linking the
regeneration areas
- Widening Marchfields Way to complete the dual carriage-way into
the town and provide new bus and cycle routes
- New car park and bus interchange at Worle railway
station
The next phase of Weston Package involves detailed design and
procurement. Construction is programmed to start in autumn 2012.
Residents and businesses will be kept informed as the stages
progress.
The go ahead for Weston Package is in addition to the schemes
announced last week by the Chancellor in his autumn statement.
These included the go ahead for the South Bristol Link and the
Ashton Vale to Temple Meads scheme, both of which will benefit
North Somerset residents and commuters. T
he bids have been strengthened by cross-council working between
the four West of England councils (Bath & North East Somerset,
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) and could
deliver a total of £250 million investment in local public
transport boosting the local economy.
Cllr Ap Rees added: "Following this success, we will not stop
pushing for more transport investment locally with the next
priority being to improve the local rail network."
