At their last Council meeting of the year, Midsomer Norton Town Council proposed to liaise with Westfield Parish Council to look into the addition of a Toucan Crossing across Silver Street.

Following a number of accidents on Silver Street at the point where the pupils travelling to Norton Hill and Somervale Schools and the cyclepath users need to cross, Midsomer Norton Town Councillors, along with Geoff Fuller, Chair of Westfield Parish Council, have approached B&NES Council about the installation of a crossing to ensure a safer journey.

After being involved in a traffic accident whilst walking to school along Silver Street, local pupil, Joshua Waterson, approached the Town Council to make the proposal of a crossing a higher priority. He said: "Cyclists and pedestrians cross there every day and I am very worried about the lack of a safe crossing."

The Town Council understands that money was appointed to cover the inclusion of a footpath along the back of Somervale School during the building of the cyclepath. However, this has been delayed, but it means that the funding is available for a crossing and a B&NES Project Manager has been assigned.

Town Mayor, Paul Myers, and Councillor Steve Plumley, approached Geoff Fuller, of Westfield Parish Council, to have the idea of a crossing added to the Westfield Parish Council's agenda as well, in order to move the issue forward.

Cllr Plumley said: "It's amazing that a crossing wasn't put along Silver Street when one was put in at the end of the cyclepath on Radstock Road – especially as Silver Street is just as busy. The situation is an accident waiting to happen all over again – it is concerning how much traffic went by when we walked along Silver Street to meet with Geoff."

The proposal is to install a Toucan Crossing with pedestrian operated buttons. A Toucan Crossing would allow cyclists to continue across the road on their bikes, as well as give plenty of room for pedestrians.

Westfield Parish Council were discussing the issue at their meeting which also took place on Monday this week.