10:30am Friday 5th February 2010
By Alexandra Womack
A LANE in Chipping Sodbury which has been a threat to children’s safety for years is set to be closed to traffic.
Campaigners say pedestrianising Horseshoe Lane, which is a popular walking route for pupils at St John’s Mead Primary School and Chipping Sodbury School, will make it much safer.
Mark Lloyd, whose two sons Ethan and Luis attend St John’s, has been calling for traffic calming measures since moving to the town in 2006.
He said: "It is so narrow and cars get so close to children walking that way. This will make the street much safer for school kids and that is the important thing."
Added Mr Lloyd, owner of nearby Rounceval House Hotel and chairman of Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce: "It is used as a shortcut but there is no reason anybody needs to use that road so businesses in the High Street will not be affected.
"There are some people against it who say we are changing a medieval town all over the place but in medieval times this lane would have been pedestrianised anyway."
Horseshoe Lane runs from Rounceval Street on Chipping Sodbury’s main thoroughfare to Culverhill Road. The route has been discussed as part of a school travel plan for both Chipping Sodbury and St John’s schools.
South Gloucestershire Council is proposing to close the lane to traffic from its junction with Rounceval Street and revoke a one-way system in place on Horseshoe Lane so residents have full access.
A spokesman said: "The proposals for closing Horseshoe Lane at its junction with Rounceval Street should improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and thereby encourage people to walk and cycle to the High Street and encourage more children to cycle and walk to school."
Town councillors voted with a majority to support the scheme and the public have now been asked for their views. The scheme is expected to go ahead this financial year.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/trade_directory/