The appeal to help create a brand new car park at the back of Writhlington Village Hall continues this week, following the story we ran in The Journal back in June.

Writhlington Ward Councillor, Keith Tyrrell, was campaigning for the work to be done to ease parking woes and traffic congestion in the area, having sought a quote from the developers across the road at Knobsbury Lane, who were willing to do the work using the equipment on site, before they left. But the rest of the money couldn’t be found in time, despite a plea to Radstock Town Council and a petition with hundreds of signatures, and the developer has since moved away, taking their quote with them.

Cllr Tyrrell argues that had the S106 money been allocated to Writhlington village itself, the struggle to find the money for the car park would not have been an issue. Instead, it was allocated across the area, rather than serving the community affected.

However, £50,000 of this has now been given to road improvements on the busy A362, which includes a potential speed camera, and Cllr Tyrrell is working to see if more of the S106 pot can be recovered to benefit the village.

Monday’s torrential downpour this week and the winter weather has further higlighted the need for parking, with parents unofficially using the space behind the hall to drop off and pick up their children from school, unable to do so while the weather is so wet and muddy, causing chaos at peak times on the roads.

Cllr Tyrrell said: “It is imperative that we get on with this car park to alleviate the problems with cars in Writhlington. Primarily, this is a safety issue, both for the children and residents of the village. With two busy schools, the well used village hall, shop on the corner, a busy garage and such limited parking, it is an accident waiting to happen.

“I would appeal to local residents and parents, while we are trying to sort this out, to leave their cars at home and walk wherever possible. Cars and children just do not mix.”

A new quote for £26,239 has been received which has been the most competitive and Cllr Tyrrell is now hoping that Big Local, St Mary’s School and Radstock Town Council will be able to contribute £6,000 each, which is also being provided by Writhlington Village Hall to help achieve the total. It is hoped that the shortfall of just over £2,000 could be raised through fundraising or the generosity of a local business. If you can help, please email: [email protected]

Radstock Town Councillors voted to support the new car park project on Monday evening this week, allocating £6,000, after previously deciding it was unable to provide the full amount.