A NUMBER of proposed traffic calming upgrades in Cam do not go far enough, say campaigners.
Developer St Modwen's Homes has unveiled a number of new traffic measures in Everlands and Hopton in hopes of making roads across the area safer.
The plans include creating a new 20mph zone and installing seven speed bumps in Hopton Road near Cam Hopton Primary School.
In addition, changes to the Church Road and Everlands junction include replacing the existing traffic island with a full carriageway plus a small cycle link.
It also includes installing two pedestrian crossings, and a footway path with railings.
Meanwhile, in Everlands, proposals include revamping existing speed bumps, extending a footpath, installing five priority chicanes and a pedestrian crossing.
However, the scheme has been met with fury and frustration by activists from Cam Community Action Group.
New traffic measures are due to be installed in Everlands and Hopton (Image: Google Maps)
Measures "do not go far enough"
Campaigners say planners should have put in traffic upgrades in "major bottleneck" Chapel Street near Boots Pharmacy, adjoining Station Road and its junction with Everlands.
Lorries and buses have frequently been seen mounting the pavements on the narrow length of road due to cars parking on yellow lines.
Steve Willetts from Cam Community Action Group said: "The traffic calming and road layout measures do not go far enough.
"Serious issues have resulted from opening the relief road before the calming measures were put in place.
"What was proposed originally to take traffic directly to the A4135 rather than to these small roads has been negotiated away and the result will be to dump an even bigger problem onto Chapel Street, already a major bottleneck."
It is understood the new traffic measures are part of a planning condition for the nearby Littlecombe estate, where hundreds of new homes have been built over the last few years.
Chapel Street in Cam has been described by campaigners as a "major bottleneck" (Image: Cam Community Action Group / Jo Kendall)
The action group also says Cam residents and Cam Parish Council were not consulted on St Modwen's scheme.
Mr Willetts added: "There is, as always, no holistic view taken, little attempt to consult those who know and a piecemeal minimalist approach that makes matters worse."
Works due to start before the end of 2024
A St Modwen Homes spokesperson said it is hoped works in Church Road and Everlands will begin before the end of 2024.
A spokesperson said: "As part of our development in Littlecombe that is bringing homes to the area, we will be providing a range of road improvements in the immediate surrounding areas.
"In accordance with the planning permission, we will be providing improvements to nearby Everlands, Hopton Road and Church Road, with these works having already been approved by Gloucestershire County Council Highways.
"We aim to begin these works before the end of 2024, subject to receiving the necessary consents.
"On top of this, we will also be providing further improvements to both Kingshill Lane and the junction with Kingshill Road."
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