ROADWORKS are due to begin in early 2025 in Frome on a new zebra crossing with highway improvements on The Butts, near the junction with Somerset Road and Water Lane in the town. 

Active travel charity Sustrans, with input from Somerset Council, successfully secured central government funding for the crossing. The crossing will complement the Safer School Streets work in the area and responds to local concerns expressed about this busy junction when the Safer School Streets engagement work was carried out.  

Queries about the crossing and about any aspect of the Safer School Streets project can be sent to engage@frometowncouncil.gov.uk

 

Cllr Anita Collier, lead councillor for road safety at Frome Town Council said she is delighted to hear that the work is due to start in early 2025 on the “long-awaited” zebra crossing, new speed bumps and other road safety measures, to make the area safer for pedestrians, residents and road users.

There have been several campaigns since 2009 for a crossing in this location, as well as other popular crossing points. The public may now be getting what they want.

"An official crossing creates clarity about rights of way and makes the road safer for everyone,” Cllr Collier said. “Road safety, as we know, sadly, can be the difference between life and death.”

Somerset Council conducted a consultation of key stakeholders and residents of The Butts to finalise the plans, which will include sections of raised and coloured tarmac, speed bumps and additional yellow lines, in addition to the new crossing.

“This crossing has been installed in response to concerns raised about this busy junction,” said Sarah Leeming, south of England director at Sustrans. “Designing the streets around schools so that people are prioritised over traffic will make the school run safer, not just for families but for everyone choosing to travel by walking, cycling and using wheelchairs and children's buggies.”