A new Toucan crossing has been installed on the popular Festival Way by the Ashton Court Estate. The crossing will make it safer for people walking and cycling to cross the busy B3128. The project has been delivered by North Somerset Council, working with the walking and cycling charity Sustrans.
The new crossing will make it safer for people walking and cycling when crossing the busy road near Ashton Estate.
Making the cross safe for everyone
We identified the crossing near Ashton Court Estate as a priority for improvements after a nationwide audit of the National Cycle Network.
We subsequently allocated £140,000 of Department for Transport funding to North Somerset Council to deliver the safety improvements.
The new signal-controlled Toucan crossing creates a suitable place for all path users - including those with adapted cycles, tandems and cycle trailers - to safely cross the high volumes of traffic on the B3128.
The improvements will connect the Festival Way to Bristol, and to the recently built traffic-free route through Ashton Court.
Helping to become a carbon-neutral District
Cllr Mike Solomon (Independent), North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Services, said:
"The Festival Way is a popular, key route.
"It brings North Somerset residents to Ashton Court and on into Bristol.
"And it allows Bristol residents to access the North Somerset countryside and towns on foot or by bike.
"We are very pleased to have collaborated with Sustrans on this project, which will improve the safety at an important and well-used point on our walking and cycling network.
"Giving more people the infrastructure and opportunity to lead healthy and active lifestyles will help us meet our goal of becoming a carbon-neutral District by 2030."
Before the crossing was put in, the road was less safe for people walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting across.
Tackling the climate emergency head-on
Jon Usher, Head of Partnerships at Sustrans, said:
"We’re really happy to see this scheme completed.
"As one of our Paths for Everyone projects, the work aimed to make this traffic-free route more accessible, safer, and more enjoyable for all.
"Enabling more people to walk, scoot, wheel or cycle for their everyday journeys is essential to tackling the climate emergency across the West of England.
"By providing this improved crossing, North Somerset Council is taking an important step towards making active travel an attractive and real alternative to jumping in the car."
Improving visibility
As well as the new crossing, visibility has been increased on this stretch of road, by removing low-level vegetation and raising the crown of some sycamore trees.
This is to help people using the crossing, and those driving on the road, to see one another.
Additional funding from the Joint Local Transport Plan met the total cost of the scheme.
Read more about the Festival Way.
