NAILSEA residents turned out in force to a planning meeting to object to the reopening of a redundant road.

NAILSEA residents turned out in force to a planning meeting to object to the reopening of a redundant road.

At a previous town council planning and environmental committee meeting, a resident had asked members to consider opening Church Lane and Whitesfield Road up to one way traffic to make it easier to access the Tithe Barn, in St Mary's Grove.

But the proposal sparked massive opposition from residents who were concerned that opening Church Lane after 22 years would lead to a fatality as it is regularly used by school children.

Celia Holland, of Church Lane, said: "There would be no pavements, which would be absolutely vital for pedestrians.

"I think the vast number of people who use the system to get to and from the school on their bikes are not going to know that there might be a car coming round the corner.

"It's going to take years for people to get used to it so there's likely to be a nasty accident.

"There's also sheltered accommodation along the road and if anyone living in Church Lane steps out their front gate, they will be stepping into the road at its narrowest point."

Nailsea Town Council clerk Ian Morrell received 17 letters objecting to the proposal.

Residents campaigned to get the road closed 22 years ago and North Somerset Council agreed as the lane was considered too narrow for both cars and pedestrians.

Whitesfield Road was also closed off to stop to stop speeding motorists from using it as a rat run.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor John Clegg, said: "I think it's a lunatic scheme and the sooner we knock it on the head the better."

At a meeting on February 6, members of the planning and environmental committee agreed not to ask North Somerset Council to reopen the road and the decision was met by applause from members of the public.