Councillors and residents in Peasedown St John have repeated calls for major road safety changes to be made on the A367 bypass around Peasedown St John, following a devastating road traffic accident last Wednesday evening, which saw the Air Ambulance called and the road closed in both directions for several hours. This is one of at least three accidents on this stretch of road, and at Dunkerton, since last November alone.

Two vehicles were involved in last week’s accident, which happened on the stretch between the Orchard Way roundabout and the Bath Road junction.

The incident led to the entire road being closed in both directions from 4 p.m. for several hours. No fewer than five emergency vehicles and the Air Ambulance were in attendance.

Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John), said: “We realised soon after 4 p.m. that something was wrong after hearing the sounds of police sirens and the Air Ambulance flying over.

“Our hearts go out to those involved in the accident, and we are grateful to the emergency services for acting so quickly.

“Whilst more details emerge about what actually happened, the accident is a strong sign of the ever-increasing need for B&NES Council to make a serious financial investment in road safety on that stretch of road.

“Many of us, for at least thirteen years, have been calling and campaigning for a roundabout at the A367/Bath Road junction, which would heavily decrease the accident rate and give drivers greater peace of mind using the A367 at Peasedown St John.”

Cllr Walker, along with Cllr Sarah Bevan, Parish Councillor, Nathan Hartley, and the village’s Residents’ Association, have repeatedly highlighted the need for a roundabout at this location, but B&NES Council’s political leaders have refused to take action for well over a decade.

Wednesday night’s accident occurred in the same week that the results of the long-awaited ‘A367 Safety Report’ were published.

Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “On Monday, Cllr Walker and I met with the council’s Traffic and Safety Team to receive the results of the A367 review, which was carried out last year.

“The review covered the stretch of the A367 from Westfield to Churchill Bridge in Bath, and includes a number of measures to increase road safety, including a proposed £100,000 pot of money which is set to be included in B&NES Council’s new budget.

“The review was in response to our emails and spoken concerns, and collision statistics gathered over the past five years, from 2012–2017.”

For the Peasedown St John bypass, the review’s conclusions have led to the following proposals. From Bath Business Park/Orchard Way roundabout: measures include speed reduction measures on all approaches, from 60 mph to 40 mph; major vegetation cut backs where visibility is compromised, especially at the push button pedestrian crossing, and a chevrons upgrade on the roundabout.

From Dunkerton Hill roundabout; measures include speed reduction from 50 mph down to 40 mph to include part of the currently derestricted 60 mph zone along the bypass; major vegetation cutbacks where visibility compromised; highways signage surrounds to be cleared of vegetation, full road lining refresh, replacement of illuminated bollards and relocation of Beacon Hall directional sign off the roundabout.

Cllr Bevan added: “As much as we welcome the review, its results, the proposals and the £100,000 fund, we think they just don’t go far enough. Despite petitions, meetings, campaigns, cross-party talks, costly reports, and a fate of serious traffic accidents, B&NES Council still is not taking the necessary action needed.”

A spokesperson for B&NES said this week: “We are committed to road safety and have already invested more than £1 million on a road safety programme to reduce speed limits, improve signage, visibility, road markings and road surfacing.

“The road safety programme is prioritised according to the accident history and the A367 is included in it.

“We have met previously with the parish council to discuss the potential for a roundabout, however the evidence collated from incidents will be used to inform decisions on the most appropriate road safety improvements on this stretch of road.”