A CASH crisis has dashed hopes of improvements being carried out to the busiest road junction in the Cheddar Valley. Campaigners have long been demanding action over the notorious crossroads at Cross where the A371 Cross Lane and the road from Bleadon an

A CASH crisis has dashed hopes of improvements being carried out to the busiest road junction in the Cheddar Valley. Campaigners have long been demanding action over the notorious crossroads at Cross where the A371 Cross Lane and the road from Bleadon and Loxton converge on the A38.Chairman Michael Tobin told Compton Bishop parish council there was no joy from a meeting he and vice-chairman Jerry Dorber had with representatives of Somerset's highways department.The message they received was that any solution would have to be 'on the cheap' as there was no money left for road improvements because of the level of funds spent on public transport.A roundabout to ease congestion at the junction had been ruled out totally as it would cost millions and mean the demolition of the listed Manor Farm house - a former coaching inn - and part of the nearby New Inn's garden.Other ideas rejected by the county included traffic lights, one or more pedestrian crossings despite an horrific accident recently involving a teenage girl, or making a section of Old Coach Road one-way.Cllr Tobin said they had been warned that also out of the question was a footway or extension to the public footpath in Cross Lane to protect walkers from heavy traffic passing only inches away, or repairs to the footway along the A38 which the county officials admitted was sub-standard.However they had agreed there were major line-of-sight problems for vehicles joining the main road from Cross Lane, and they are to investigate improving the road markings.Cllr Dorber said: "At least they think they can probably find just about enough money for some paint!