Temporary traffic lights will be installed on one of Frome's busiest streets from Monday (February 17) as work to deliver a new zebra crossing begins.

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 announced in November 2024 that a new crossing will be installed in this location, funded by central government grants.

Somerset Council has now confirmed that work will begin on Monday (February 17), with construction expected to take up to seven weeks, concluding on April 5.

During this construction work, there will be no vehicular access in either direction on Somerset Road between The Butts and Whitewell Road, with local diversions being in placed.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on The Butts and Butts Hill throughout the construction, with the road being closed for overnight resurfacing work between March 31 and April 5.

A temporary pedestrian crossing will be in operation between Water Lane and Somerset Road throughout the work, ensuring children can still walk to and from cycle, while two bus stops on The Butts and Butts Hill will be out of use.

Councillor Anita Collier, lead councillor for road safety at Frome Town Council, said: "We're pleased to receive details of the works on this long-awaited zebra crossing.

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

"And they're right; it's a busy stretch of road and many people, including a high volume of schoolchildren, find it logical and convenient to cross there.

"An official crossing creates clarity about rights of way and makes the road safer for everyone.

"Our colleagues at Somerset Council have devised the plan for the works with minimal disruption in mind, although of course all works of this nature represent some inconvenience.

"As with all such works, the schedule is subject to change, especially at this time of year when the weather is less reliable.

"Thank you for your patience while the contractors undertake this important work."

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's 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 has been 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."

The new crossing will include sections of raised and coloured tarmac, speed bumps and additional yellow lines, following feedback from local residents.

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