A new pedestrian crossing will be constructed across one of Frome's busiest roads as part of a wider initiative to encourage children to walk and cycle to school.

The Frome Safer School Streets trial got under way on April 22, with timed road closures and traffic calming measures being implemented on numerous residential streets in the west of the town.

During the public consultation before the beginning of the trial, residents flagged up the dangers pedestrians currently face when crossing the B3090 The Butts, near the junction with Somerset Road and Water Lane, in their efforts to access the schools near Victoria Park.

Frome Town Council and Somerset Council have now confirmed a new crossing will be installed in this location early in the new year, funded by central government grants.

Councillor Anita Collier, lead councillor for road safety on Frome Town Council, said: "We're delighted to hear that work is due to start in early-2025 on a long-awaited zebra crossing, new speed bumps and other road safety measures on The Butts, to make this area safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, residents and road users.

"For as long as I've been a town councillor, people have asked why there isn't an official crossing at the busy junction of The Butts and Somerset Road.

"I've been aware of several campaigns for a crossing in this location as long ago as 2009, as well as other popular crossing points.

"An official crossing creates clarity about rights of way and makes the road safer for everyone – and road safety, as we know, sadly, can be the difference between life and death."

The B3090 forms a crucial link between Frome town centre and the A361 towards Shepton Mallet, serving as the main route into the town centre from the new homes currently being constructed at the Keyford Meadows site.

The new crossing will form part of National Cycle Network route 24, building on other enhancements of the route across the town as part of the Frome Missing Links project.

The funding for the new crossing comes via Sustrans, the government's active travel charity – meaning there will be no additional cost to Somerset taxpayers.

Sarah Leeming, South of England director at Sustrans, said: "This new crossing on National Cycle Network route 24 complements the Safer School Streets work in Frome.

"During the engagement work carried out since autumn 2021, we sought the views of local residents and families, who shared their ambitions for a safer school run and improved streets.

"This crossing will be installed in response to concerns raised about this busy junction.

"Designing the streets around schools so that people are prioritised over traffic will make the school run safer, not just for families but for everyone choosing to travel by walking, cycling and using wheelchairs and children's buggies."

For more information on the new crossing or the Safer School Streets, please email [email protected].

Somerset Council has not confirmed the precise date when the construction of the new crossing will commence.