Midsomer Norton Town Council met for its October meeting on Monday evening, with concerns again raised surrounding the safety of Silver Street, following reports of a child being airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital after being hit by a car last Saturday.
Following the installation of the crossing outside the nature reserve and train station, campaigners have also expressed the need to remodel the top of the road, which leads up to the rugby club, and currently has no pavements and speeding traffic.
Speaking at the meeting, Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, said: “The reports of the accident are particularly concerning, as we have discussed this issue before. I have not seen the police report, but have certainly made B&NES Council aware of the situation. What is more worrying is the location proposed for the new primary school – more and more children would be using this road should it be built.”
Regeneration was also discussed at length, with Town Councillors voting to support a proposal to extend the new Regeneration Project Manager Post, which is part funded by both B&NES and Midsomer Norton Town Council, to the tune of £50,000, which includes resources needed. The temporary post was only meant to be for six months, but this could now be extended for a year, with underspend in other aspects supporting materials. Cllr Brian Lawrence said: “What we don’t need in the Town’s regeneration is another glossy report – what is needed, is extended work to come up with more practical solutions and to continue dialogue with landowners.”
A recent incident at West Clewes has seen CCTV being called in by police, and the Town Council has worked with authorities this week to pass on the footage.
The Town Clerk also reported that plans are now in place for the Town’s Remembrance Sunday Parade, which will this year take place on Sunday, 13th November. The safety advisory meeting for the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association was reported as ‘very straight-forward’, with the event due to take place the following day, 14th November – and a possible major sponsor to be announced shortly.
It also looks like Christmas is not cancelled after all, with the clerk confirming that the town will have both lights and a tree this year – although who will be paying for them, B&NES or the Town Council, has yet to be decided.
Work continues on the Town Park plans, with road access currently being looked at, which will need planning permission. Once an area has been cleared, there is the hope of opening up the site for next year’s Fayre Day, to enable the 5,000 or so people who attend the event to see for themselves the space, and to give their views on how it should be used in future plans. The Town Council is also hoping to secure Section 106 funding for green space, but will need to work alongside other Town and Parish Councils in the area to access this money – as it is not for Midsomer Norton alone. Initial plans for the Town Park entrance are currently in hand, with the hope of the eight-week construction project beginning in early autumn next year.