Residents living along and around Canford Lane in Westbury-on-Trym are celebrating the culmination of a campaign that they have been fighting for since 2016. After years of petitioning, attending (many) council meetings and funding proposals, a pedestrian crossing has finally been built on Canford Lane, just by the entrance to the cemetery.
Following an initial petition in 2016, the campaign group of locals carried out a survey in 2017, concerned that there had been three accidents in two years (two serious). This count revealed 1200 cars an hour passing in both directions – a constant stream of a car going by every four seconds. Amid further concerns about traffic coming too quickly up from the village and park and not giving way, the council did agree to install a Give Way sign at the junction. However, campaigners wanted measures taken further.
The group walked up and down the locality canvassing opinion – from which it was clear that there was great local support for a crossing. The then-Tory councillor, Steve Smith, was very supportive of the campaign and lent clear voice to the proceedings, which has continued with equally strong response from the new Lib Dem councillor, Caroline Gooch.
One of the main campaigners, Graham Donald, said: “Local democracy can work if you keep fighting and talking to the right people”.
Kevin Gummett, who lives opposite the new crossing and was one of those instrumental in securing the victory, added: “If you don’t raise your voice, nothing will happen.”
Originally, the group wanted three crossings spread out at different points along Canford Lane, but only one could be funded, so they had to consider where would be most practical and of best use. The campaign was funded solely by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – these are monies that developers pay to the council and are controlled by the local authority. The group had to submit extensive proposals and attend meetings with the CIL to fight off competition from other proposals also in the running for funding.
All their efforts and determination finally paid off in December when a Welsh contractor was brought in to do the work which was completed in time for Christmas – to the delight of all those who had campaigned for so long.
“It feels like people power did this together,” said fellow campaigner, Nicola Hawkes.
“We can certainly pat ourselves on the back. I have grandchildren and now I’ll feel safer when they visit. It really feels like closure”.