Yellow lines suggested as solution to Wedmore traffic congestion

Wedmore could receive its first-ever double yellow lines.

The parish council, which continues to grapple with how to cope with the local traffic log jams, are considering all the alternatives.

Congestion has now got so bad in the village that councillors say they may have to impose the lines around a junction on Church Street.

The clerk to the council, Simon Emery said: “It is only a loose proposal at the moment, but the congestion continues to be a huge problem here and it is putting off customers coming to use the local businesses.”

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The village is no stranger to parking being top of the political agenda. In 2007 the then chairman made headlines around the globe when he campaigned to get heavy lorries diverted by sat nav to other less congested places.

John Sanderson said: “We weren’t actually campaigning to get Wedmore taken off satellite navigation systems, but that is how it was reported.We had film crews from New York and reporters from Germany because we were trying to deal with congestion, so it has long been a problem.”

A Somerset County Council spokesman said: “We have worked with Wedmore Parish Council to address problems caused by HGVs, such as agreeing a voluntary one way system for vehicles associated with quarrying.

“More recently, we worked with the parish council last year and put up a number of signs on the roads around Wedmore, directing HGVs away from the village and onto more appropriate roads.”

Unlike many other Somerset villages Wedmore does have a free car park but councillors are frustrated that it is under used, while drivers staying for long periods clog up the roads.

Mr Sanderson said: “I personally don’t support double yellow lines throughout Wedmore, but you do see lorries struggling through the village, and lots of congestion, so we do need some kind of parking solution.”

Mr Emery said: “Available short term parking in the village for visitors to Wedmore is essential if we are to ensure and support the long term viability of the many varied businesses we are lucky to have located in the village.”

One area that is being targeted is the junction of Church Street and The Borough. Councillors have reported extreme congestion often caused by inconsiderate drivers parking their vehicles on the white hatched lines close to and opposite the junction making it difficult for large vehicles and buses to navigate the corner. Councillors say they are ‘actively’ considering the installation of double yellow lines at the corner.

The council say they would welcome comments from residents on the idea or any other proposals that may have that could improve the situation.

A Somerset spokesman said: “We continue to work with satellite navigation system operators on finding a solution which will benefit both HGV drivers and residents of areas such as Wedmore.”