Honorary Alderman, Terry Reakes, joined Radstock Town Council at its online monthly meeting last Monday to urge for action on the town’s pedestrian crossings. Alderman Reakes argued that the Town Council will need to push for action for something to be done by B&NES.

He said: “It would be better to have one controlled crossing than two that are not up to the job, or is that too much to ask? The crossing outside the doctors’ surgery is an accident waiting to happen.

“You wouldn’t see anything like that in the centre of Bath, yet in Radstock we have been forgotten. The time for talking has finished – we must tell B&NES we want action.

“I would urge you before someone is seriously injured. Something must be done. Can we have some action, not endless meetings?”

Alderman Reakes said he first brought the matter to the Town Council’s attention in February. Councillors voted to start communicating with the local authority on the subject.

A new Town Councillor was also officially welcomed at the meeting. Adrian Dodgson joins fellow Radstock Councillors for the Clandown ward.

The Town Clerk reported that Radstock Library is undergoing a phased reopening and is now open to the public from Tuesday to Thursday, 12 noon - 4 pm.

The Food Club, which The Journal reported on last week has been popular and cooking classes are being looked in to for members. Another scheme, to help local families in need at Christmas, is being considered, which, rather like the Foodbank, would act as a gift bank for people to choose presents for loved ones if they are unable to afford it this year.

The Town Council also donated £50 for the Town’s Halloween Trail, which will go towards prizes for children.

Councillor Gary Dando also presented on a long-standing issue – the safety of the old bridge at Foxhills. As part of the Radstock Regeneration by developer, Linden Homes, a new pedestrian bridge was due to be constructed, particularly for use for children accessing St Nicholas’ School. Town Councillors were informed that there was a current leegal dispute about the ownership of the riverbank, with the original location for the bridge having been rejected.

A conversation was also had about the old telephone box at Southfields, with a resident asking for it to be converted to make it more community friendly. Councillors agreed to put the issue on the next agenda and potentially ask the community what they might like to see it used for.

The Town’s Annual Meeting, due to be held in April this year and postponed because of the pandemic, has been scrapped this year, with current roles being held until April 2021. The next Radstock Town Council meeting takes place online on Monday, 16th November from 7 pm. Residents can join by clicking on the Zoom link on the Town Council’s website.