THE new year has started well for people living near Canford Lane in Westbury-on-Trym following the completion of the installation of a long-awaited zebra crossing.
Residents had been campaigning for the road safety measure since 2016 but even after funding was agreed it was some years before the work could take place.
The project is a rare example of an outcome that pleases all political parties: the crossing was approved under a Labour administration and delivered under a Green one, with strong support from Conservative ward councillors until May 2024 and from Liberal Democrat ward councillors thereafter.
The three Tories, Steve Smith, Sharon Scott and Geoff Gollop, said: “Many people have been campaigning for this for many years but it was in 2019 that the three Conservative Councillors for Westbury and Henleaze steered a proposal through the Area Committee and got the funding to build the crossing.
“It’s been long delayed by the pandemic and other things but the money we secured then was always there, and it’s brilliant to see the project finally come to fruition. We have enjoyed seeing so many residents already using it.”
The Lib Dem councillors, Caroline Gooch, Stephen Williams and Nicholas Coombes, celebrated the installation with residents, including 95-year-old Kevin Gummett.
They said: “We are delighted that we were able to finally ensure the completion of the crossing on Canford Lane. This much-needed improvement will provide a safer route into Westbury village for residents of Canford Lane.
“Although funding was allocated five years ago for the works, delays meant that inflation caused the costs to exceed the budget. Last year, following pressure from us as your new Lib Dem Councillors, the design was rationalised to save unnecessary costs, and the work was able to go ahead.”