There was an amazing turnout of over 60 cyclists and pedestrians from all over Somerset that congregated outside Somerset County council to call for more action on more infrastructure for walking and cycling on Wednesday 1st Sep. Protesters called for more action. Somerset County Council has to stop dragging its feet with warm words but little tangible progress. Design and maintenance of cycling infrastructure needs to improve. Pedestrians should be considered in the construction and maintenance of pathways, and more roadways to be made accessible by walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, horse riders, prams and mobility scooters.

Unfortunately, Somerset County Highways are still someway from understanding that vision.

Pip Sheard of Taunton Area Cycling Campaign gave the list of requests and an alarm clock (to wake up the County Highways Dep) to County Highways political boss, John Woodman.

9 requests to improve and increase cycling in Somerset

1. Appoint a Somerset Cycling Champion now
2. Key routes from the LCWIP to be completed in the next 18 months
3. Progress report on the cycling 15 hotpots that we presented to SCC 4 years ago
4. Road works to properly cater for cyclists and pedestrians
5. No more big roundabouts in areas that have cyclists and pedestrians
6. Open engagement with cycling and walking groups on major planning applications
7. No more anti-cycling measures like barriers, cyclist dismount signs, slippery surfaces on shared paths and dangerous filter lanes
8. Proper maintenance of shared cycle routes working with local communities
9. Deliver and develop a network which enables 50% of journeys in town to be by walking and cycling by 2030 (Decarbonisation of Transport report)

He made some comments, but said absolutely nothing new and some of which was inaccurate. It reinforced our view that there is little drive and leadership for walking and cycling improvements.

He told us yet again that SCC have a 10 year plan (still unpublished). Yes we know – we did the leg work for it and it took them over 2 years to produce. He didn’t name a single walking and cycling scheme that they are working on.

He did make the incredible claim that ‘cycling is at the heart of’ all their big expensive road schemes. We know that these have been designed to maximise car capacity with walking and cycling as addons that function badly. Clearly more training is needed. As is more pressure.

An example of just how cycling and walking are disregarded is in the recent ‘upgrades’ to J25.

TACC member Mike Ginger shows how difficult it is to negotiate the junction by bike.