REDISENTS of Highbridge’s newest housing development are now within walking distance of Somerset’s newest McDonald’s restaurant – though they may face some challenges in getting there.
Countryside Partnerships is currently constructing the Isleport Grove development on Isleport Lane in the east of the town, which will eventually comprise 248 homes (including 74 affordable properties) and a community hub (which will comprise community space, a retail unit and possibly a medical centre).
Residents of the new homes currently rely on the B3139 Mark Road to reach the town centre, with Isleport Lane being closed until at least Monday (September 16) as improvements to the access road are completed.
Highbridge welcomed its new McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru on Wednesday morning (September 11), with more than 70 local full-time and part-time jobs being created.
The new facility lies within a 20-minute walk of the Isleport Grove site – putting employment opportunities on residents’ doorsteps and giving them opportunities to access a quick meal without relying on a car.
Somerset Council approves plans for the new McDonald’s and a Greggs unit in June 2023, with both units being delivered within the Oaktree Business Park off the busy A38 Bristol Road, which links the town centre to the M5.
The plans had been put forward more than a year prior to this, but a decision was delayed due to National Highways’ concerns about the capacity of junction 22 of the M5, with the agency putting the brakes on further housing or commercial development in Highbridge until a solution had been agreed.
Following the agreement of a multi-million-pound scheme to upgrade the Edithmead roundabout (with £6.4m being sought from central government), National Highways withdrew its objection and construction work on the new McDonald’s unit began in earnest in April.
Amy Cridland, a new McDonald’s franchisee after 25 years in the business, has opened Highbridge as her first restaurant.
Speaking on Wednesday morning (September 11), she said: “We are delighted to open a brand-new McDonald’s restaurant in Highbridge and can’t wait to see customers enjoy our services on offer.
“It’s particularly exciting to have opened this new restaurant as McDonald’s celebrates its 50th year in the UK.
“People are at the heart of our business, and we have loved welcoming new employees with the jobs our restaurant has created.
“We’re committed to investing in opportunities for a mix of all ages, life stages and backgrounds, promoting flexibility and equality.”
The new restaurant has sufficient seating for 75 people inside (plus outdoor seating near its car park) and will be open from 6am to 11pm daily, with the company’s McDelivery service expected to be up and running locally in a matter of weeks.
Until this juncture, residents of Isleport Grove and the neighbouring streets can use Isleport Lane and the A38 to reach the business park.
While Isleport Lane has little to no pavements away from the new development site, it is a relatively quiet residential street with limited traffic, meaning pedestrians and cyclists face little challenge.
The same cannot be said for the Bristol Road roundabout and Bristol Road itself, with pavement only being available on the western side and limited safe crossing points for pedestrians.
The business park is separated from the roundabout by a grassy verge, which may prove impassable in wet weather.
Furthermore, the pavements within the business park have not yet been completed, with the kerbs being in place at the edge of the road but the Tarmac stopping dead at the edge of the McDonald’s site where another unit is under construction.
Some improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities are planned by Somerset Council as part of the Edithmead roundabout upgrade, but these are unlikely to stretch as far south as the business park.
The approved plans for the Isleport Grove development commits Countryside Partnerships to delivering “a pedestrian path through and at the front of the site” before the first phase of the new estate is completely occupied.
Any additional improvements to the north – for instance, nearer to the business park – will need to be delivered by the council as part of a small improvement scheme.
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