An ‘appalling’ number of crashes on one road in four months prompted police to issue an appeal for people to drive more carefully in 1966.

Weston Mercury: Children enjoying a ride on the Weston Live Steamer Club's engine at Bleadon fete.Children enjoying a ride on the Weston Live Steamer Club's engine at Bleadon fete. (Image: Archant)

The story was included in the June 24 edition of the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald.

? High speeds, insufficient driving skill, impatience and reckless overtaking were causing a rise in the ‘appalling’ number of crashes on the Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Road. From January to May there were 158 accidents, five of them fatal. Police were planning to visit the road more regularly to catch those driving dangerously.

? The baths committee at Weston Borough Council suggested some more wind protection needed to be built to keep the open air pool warm and keep vandals out. A cold draught which blew through the pool on hot days was proving to be causing a problem for those trying to enjoy the sunny weather.

? Plans for a new theatre in Weston went ahead, despite fears the borough council could not afford it. The cost of building The Playhouse, which had been destroyed in a fire in 1964, had gone up and some councillors feared the scheme was too elaborate. Ald Salisbury said if they did not go ahead with it, then costs would only rise further.

? There were traffic problems in Cheddar gorge due to cars parking across the entrance to a lane. The police were not able to act, and the council could not change the yellow line markings, as the machine was in use elsewhere.