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Backwell crossing

Date: 23 Jul 2008

Residents in Backwell will soon have a safe way to cross the A370 thanks to joint working between the parish council and North Somerset Council.

A £58,000 puffin crossing is set to be installed near the junction with West Town Road (A370) and Church Lane in November.

The puffin crossing, which includes traffic lights to stop the traffic, will form an important crossing point for children walking to and from Backwell Junior, Backwell Secondary and Westleigh Infants School and those using the nearby recreation ground.

Currently a large number of those living in Backwell are using cars to drive within the village rather than face crossing the A370 on foot.

Recent traffic surveys have found that around 1100 vehicles travel along this stretch of the A370 at peak times.

The crossing, which is being funded by North Somerset Council and Backwell Parish Council, has been agreed by Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, executive member with responsibility for roads.

Cllr Ap Rees said: "The people of Backwell and the parish council have shown a real commitment to getting a new pedestrian crossing in their village.

"After studying a range of traffic and pedestrian movement studies, I have decided that this really is a priority for Backwell and will greatly improve the quality of life for those living in the village by encouraging them to leave their cars at home and travel on foot in safety."