A38 black spot will have to wait years for safe funding

A MAJOR traffic scheme to make a notorious Somerset junction safer could take more than four years to be given the green light.If Somerset Highways decides traffic lights or a roundabout is the best way to make the dangerous crossroads on the A38 at Cross safer, the scheme would not be eligible for funding until 2012.The budget for schemes which come under the local transport plan are set in five year blocks, which means any major plans for the black spot will not be eligible for funding until the next budget, which runs from 2012-2017.Compton Bishop parish councillor Chris Byrne said: "It's very upsetting because there are more and more youngsters crossing the road and traffic is getting busier. There seems to be an accident there every month."But Somerset county councillor, Alan Ham, says there are other, cheaper options open to Somerset Highways to make the road safer.He said "If we had a major scheme like a roundabout or traffic lights it would have to take its chance in the local transport plan policies because of the cost involved and that scheme is a five year one. It would also have to satisfy the criteria."But there are other things that could be done which would be much cheaper such as alterations to the way in which the junction is configured, more road markings and signing. These would not have to be assessed."Somerset Highways is looking into it and I have requested a representative attends a site meeting with the parish council to look at other possibilities.