Over £1 million of Government funding for the road upgrade in Radstock, to support new homes and jobs in the town, has been secured following a successful bid by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The money has been granted to support the upgrade of the road system in Radstock to help people move around the town better, relieve congestion and pave the way for new homes on the former railway land.

Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of the Council, said: "This is excellent news for Radstock. The Council's bid for funding was very

comprehensive and we are delighted that the Government see the merits of this scheme in supporting new homes and jobs for local people. The Government's thumbs-up represents a £1 million seal of approval for the regeneration plans in Radstock.

"The feedback I'm getting about the regeneration from local people is overwhelmingly positive. Residents recognise the commitment that the Council and its partners are making to their community and seeing signs of genuine progress."

In its bid, the Council made clear to the Government that the funding would be used to deliver further benefits to Radstock and reallocate capital funding to alternative projects.

Councillor Crossley added: "This money now means we can further enhance the regeneration of Radstock through committing additional money towards the affordable housing on the former railway land."

Local MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has welcomed the news. Jacob, who holds regular surgeries in Radstock, said: "I am really pleased the Government is helping our area. This 'Pinch Point' Fund was launched by the Department for Transport with the specific aim of tackling congestion hot-spots and unlocking development opportunities.

"This will come as a real boost to the town and its infrastructure, allowing local people to get around more easily, as well as helping to kick-start further economic regeneration in the town. 

"By enabling the long-awaited Radstock regeneration project, it will also help take the pressure away from some other sites being used for housing."

Cllr Lesley Mansell, Chair of Radstock Town Council, also got in touch with The Journal in a personal capacity this week. She said: "The £1 million funding is fantastic news, as this is intended to provide improvements that will also increase redevelopment opportunities, as well as for Midsomer Norton and Westfield.

"The bid was submitted in order to deliver further benefits to the area and the Town Council will be discussing these with B&NES Council. Provision for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport is also to be enhanced.

"I understand the funding will also ensure that more affordable homes will be built, which are desperately needed in Radstock. So well done to B&NES Council and its officers for compiling this successful bid."

The money that has been awarded will help B&NES to reallocate funds already put aside, but will mainly go towards the new road that will run from the bad bend on Frome Road and outside the Victoria Hall, a section of new highway referred to as 'The Link'. Radstock Action Group, have spoken out against this road in the plans (see Journal Letters, page 2).

The application for the Pinch Point Fund claims that the new highway development will 'drastically reduce queuing and improve journey times on the A367 and A362'. In the recent consultation event held last month, journey times were stated to be cut from New Bath Road to Wells Road, (north to south) by five minutes and Somervale Road to Frome Road in both directions by two minutes. Will local commuters be asking if this is drastic enough? In the application, B&NES Council say they will undertake a comprehensive journey time assessment six months after the scheme opening, the results of which will remain to be seen. Concerns are also being raised by RAG regarding the increase in cars travelling along The Street which will be 'significantly increased' – in the fund application, the predicted traffic flow goes from an existing 280 vehicles to 1,100 in the morning rush hour and from 400 to 980 in the evening rush hour.

Responding to RAG's comments, which were made public earlier this week, Councillor Crossley added: "Highly experienced transport experts from Westminster have run the rule carefully over our well-prepared bid and concluded the same as our local MP and the overwhelming majority of Radstock's public – the road network upgrade is urgently needed to tackle congestion and create the infrastructure of new homes and jobs in the town.

"We have listened to local people during extensive public consultation and changed the road upgrade to better reflect what local people want, including providing for extra pedestrian crossings and a 20 mph zone.

"The regeneration of Radstock has endured enough procrastination and delay over the years. It is a shame RAG have neither welcomed this £1 million investment and have hinted in their news release that they will be writing to the Government to talk them out of awarding the town this money.

"Together with the imminent submission of the planning application, rejuvenation of the Victoria Hall and now this funding announcement, there is an opportunity for local people to grasp a prosperous, positive future for the town."

Subject to planning permission being granted to NRR, the Council anticipates starting the road construction in September 2013, with final completion in July 2014. The new link road would be built first, with an estimated completion of 30th May 2014. Further details at: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/regen">www.bathnes.gov.uk/regen radstock