TWO villages near a new “smart campus” in Somerset will see their road network upgraded after plans were approved.
The Gravity business site is currently being constructed on the former Royal Ordinance factory site, between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington, to the east of Bridgwater.
A new access road to connect the 635-acre site to the busy A39 is currently being constructed, providing a direct link with the M5 and preventing additional congestion in the two villages.
Sedgemoor District Council has now approved plans for further measures on the villages’ existing roads which will improve the experience for both current residents and new commuters once the site is completed.
This is Gravity, the company bringing forward the Gravity site, said the proposals for Puriton and Woolavington were designed to “bring about a change in character of place and reduce traffic speeds, making the link road currently in construction the preferred route into the site.
“They will provide improving walking, cycling and other sustainable modes connectivity within and between the two villages, and provide access to the 37 Club and Gravity by safe, accessible and sustainable means.”
The developer will be implementing a number of measures in the two existing villages, including:
New and improved footways and crossing
A pedestrian and cycling route between the two villages via the site
Speed humps and “speed cushions” to ensure the 30mph speed limit is enforced
Traffic calming measures such as rumble strips will also be installed.
Gravity aims to create 4,000 jobs, with plans for approximately 1,300 ‘homes/units’ on the site and at least one hotel.
The new link road being constructed will involve the construction of two new roundabouts – one on the A39 Puriton Hill, and one on Woolavington Road.
A Gravity spokesperson said: “The link road will alleviate pressure on the internal networks of the villages, mitigating the development traffic impact within Puriton and Woolavington.
“The proposals make provision for walking, cycling, horse-riders and other personal mobility modes, making the villages more attractive and safer places for those modes of transport.”
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