The safety of residents and visitors, along with aiding the protection of Saltford’s river side areas, is at the centre of SPC’s strong support for the Mead Lane and The Shallows Traffic Regulation Order (TRO ref 20-014).
Following long-standing safety concerns at this location, SPC has urged the swift implementation of the TRO by B&NES Council for the welfare of all and for the benefit of the natural environment.
Saltford Parish Council’s full response to B&NES Council, as resolved at its March 2021 meeting, is as follows:
Saltford Parish Council strongly supports the proposed Traffic Regulation Order ((Various Roads, Keynsham and Saltford) (Prohibition and Restriction of Parking and Loading) (No Stopping on Entrance Markings) (Authorised and Designated Parking Places) (Variation No.14) Order 2021 reference 20-014 affecting The Shallows and Mead Lane in Saltford, and urges its swift implementation and enforcement for the benefit of the community and its visitors.
The proposals are essential to address long-standing safety and access concerns along these roads which occur regularly during busy periods. In considering its response, Saltford Parish Council notes the concerns expressed to it from residents, visitors, the police and the Fire Brigade regarding safety and access – including the actions having had to be taken by the police to ensure safety and access including road closures. These concerns have since considerably alleviated from July/August 2020 following the implementation of the Temporary Traffic Orders by B&NES Council, which have proved highly successful.
Additionally, the proposals will protect the amenity value of the Saltford riverbank for residents and visitors whilst also helping to reduce incidents of damage to the riverbank and breaking up of the roadside edge itself in Mead Lane from vehicles attempting to park partly on the riverbank; the riverbank’s structure is not designed to accept vehicle parking.
The residents parking scheme element is supported to maintain and improve parking access for residents without off road parking, viewed as required due to the high number of vehicle-using visitors to The Shallows.
The Parish Council requests that the TRO proposals accommodate safety measures with regards to the layby on Mead Lane. Measures should be put in place to ensure that vehicles parking in the layby do not overhang or in any way obstruct the highway. This is for the prevention of accidents and to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, due to there being no pavement and poor visibility on this bend.
Residents can have their say on the TRO ref 20-014, please visit this B&NES Council TRO webpage for details of the proposal and how to submit a comment.
More information about TROs can be found on the Traffic Regulation Orders B&NES Council webpage.