Via East Midlands rule out Southwell Town Council’s pavement plan for Bishop’s Drive

Requests for a pavement on a road labelled a “disaster waiting to happen” have been denied.

Southwell Town Council’s planning committee heard from chairman Jeremy Berridge that Via East Midlands had not supported the council’s motion for a pavement on Bishop’s Drive.

The town council agreed to write to the county’s highways authority asking for action to be taken on improving pedestrian safety on the road in late 2023, and recommended a two-metre wide pavement be installed along one side of the road.

The stretch of Bishop’s Drive in question, between the entrance to Bishop’s Manor and the War Memorial, has double yellow lines on one side and is parking permitted on the other — and is frequently lined with parked cars, creating a single track road.

The road is heavily used by students walking to and from the nearby Minster School, and is a main pedestrian entrance to the War Memorial Recreation Ground.

Jeremy Berridge reported back to the committee after the issues were discussed with Via, who, he explained, had suggested there was not enough room for a pavement.

Steve Perry claimed this was a “lie” from Via, and questioned how, if there was space for parked cars there was not space for a pavement.

He added that he had seen “some people nearly got wiped out by a Land Rover” and it was a “disaster waiting to happen”.

He said: “It’s [Via and Nottinghamshire County Council’s] to sort out.

“We need to push that its a hazardous area. Via are not taking responsibility.”

Jamie Bostock added: “I think it should be widely known Via has refused to put a footpath in.”

He explained that students with visual impairments and disabilities frequently walk along the road as it is the ‘safer’ option than walking alongside busy Nottingham Road.

He criticized what he believed to be a “car is king” attitude from Via in prioritising cars over pedestrian safety.

Mr Berridge admitted the meeting with Via had “moved quite quickly” on the topic, and said he would go back to Via to ask for a detailed reason why a footpath couldn’t be installed.

Mr Perry also requested the authority respond in writing to the council’s initial letter on the subject.

“I feel it is poor on their side and we should call them out on it,” he added.