A statutory consultation has opened on proposed transport improvements for Midsomer Norton High Street and South Road as part of the wider Somer Valley Links project.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is proposing two new zebra crossings and improved cycling facilities in the town.
The first zebra crossing would be installed on the High Street outside the Dorothy House Hospice Shop, near the War Memorial.
To accommodate the crossing, the existing one-hour limited waiting parking bays, with no return within one hour, would be removed. A section of double yellow lines would also be removed.
The disabled parking bay would remain.
A second zebra crossing would be installed on South Road near the entrance to South Road Car Park, replacing the existing informal crossing. A section of the existing single yellow line restriction on South Road would also be removed to accommodate the crossing.
B&NES says the crossings would provide safer places for pedestrians to cross High Street and South Road and improve access to local amenities. The Council also says the proposals should not cause significant disruption to public transport and could make it safer for passengers accessing nearby bus stops.
Further along the High Street, outside the Dorothy House Furniture Store towards Excelsior Street, the wider scheme proposes secure cycle parking, a bike repair station, additional planting and a local information point.
The improvements form part of Somer Valley Links, which aims to improve travel between Bath, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Bristol through better bus infrastructure and more opportunities for walking, wheeling and cycling.
A public consultation period runs from 13 August to 3 September 2026, during which residents and businesses can make representations on the proposed changes.
More information about the proposals for Midsomer Norton and how to take part in the consultation is available at:
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/somer-valley-links-phase-1-proposed-improvements#our-proposals
As far as i can see all this is doing is putting another nail in the coffin for all business that rely on the High Street for trade. It started with the pay to park now trying to make people walk,cycle or catch buses which wont work. Feel so sorry for the businesses in Norton.
why? are people now too lazy to walk to the traffic light crossing? I’ve never witnessed anyone struggle to cross the highstreet at any time of the day
another farce of a project
are the bus stops going to be moved to accommodate this zebra crossing
more wasting of tax payers money, leave the high st as it is.