The long-awaited B&NES feasibility study looking at further safety options at the A367/Bath Road junction in Peasedown St John has begun.

Last Friday morning, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Tony Clarke and Transport Manager, Kelvin Packer, visited the village to discuss the study and the wider issue of safety at the junction with councillors.

The meeting, held onsite next to the junction itself, was organised by the village’s B&NES Councillors Karen Walker and Sarah Bevan (Independent).

Speaking after the meeting on Friday, Cllr Karen Walker said: “For over a decade, the community of Peasedown St John has called for further safety measures to be implemented at the Bath Road/A367 junction at the southern end of the village.

“In February 2015, pressure from Peasedown Councillors, the Parish Council and local Residents’ Association led to the Council agreeing to fund a £30,000 feasibility study looking at improvements to this junction.

“The safety of drivers and pedestrians around this junction is paramount, which is why I am pleased with the Council’s announcement that a full scale public consultation will be carried out, when the feasibility study has concluded, with a variety of options.”

The study, which started before Christmas, has already revealed that more than 15,000 vehicles use this stretch of the A367 daily, with 4,000 of them specifically using the junction to enter or exit Peasedown St John.

Cllr Sarah Bevan added: “We are grateful to both Cllr Tony Clarke and Kelvin Packer for taking the time to visit Peasedown St John, meet with us and view the junction being used during a weekday morning. I’m also pleased with their renewed commitment to take this issue seriously.

“The feasibility study is expected to be completed within the next month, with a report being written and presented to Cllr Clarke.

Following his comments, the report, which will include a list of options to introduce further safety measures at the junction, will be sent to Cllr Walker and myself, as well as the Parish Council. Crucially, residents will then be widely invited to share their views and suggestions.”

Accompanying the Independent Councillors at the meeting on Friday morning were Chair of the Parish Council, Kathy Thomas; Vice-Chair, Jo Davis, the Clerk, Tanya West and Parish Councillor, Jonathan Rich.

B&NES officials say that during the last five years, four reported accidents have taken place, two of which have been serious. The Council receive their statistics from Avon and Somerset Police based on accidents reported by the public.