VILLAGERS in Kilve have launched a campaign to ban coaches from a "dangerously narrow" road leading to the village's popular beach.

A sign already warns motorists that Sea Lane is unsuitable for buses and coaches.

But it is only an advisory notice and local people say coaches, in particular, are increasingly ignoring the advice, putting lives at risk.

Lionel Anthony, who is spearheading the campaign, said the time had come for Somerset County Council, the highways authority, to put a mandatory notice up making it an offence for coaches and buses to use the lane.

"These vehicles are around eight feet wide and the lane itself is only nine to ten feet across," said Mr Anthony. "That leaves very little space for anyone walking down it.

"Sea Lane was never built to accommodate 3,500kg vehicles and the damage to the road surface will be evident in the near future.

"Potholes, weakened house foundation and the other results of increased usage will add to the burden of Council Tax bills and bus companies will make no contribution to this cost."

Campaigners have started a petition, which has already attracted dozens of signatures, with 40 people supporting the call for a mandatory sign within the first ten days.

"Sea Lane is dangerously narrow but it is surprisingly busy because it leads to Kilve Beach," said Mr Anthony.

"Hundreds of schoolchildren enjoy day excursions to this geologically important beach.

"The road is far busier than other country lanes - tourists use the car park at the end and visit the tea rooms, local farmers, especially during the summer, are using it constantly and there are no facilities for coach parking."

Mr Anthony said the situation was being exacerbated and campaigners were annoyed that West Somerset Council, which owns the car park, had told schools that coaches could park in the facility.

But a district council spokesman said the authority had no powers to stop coaches using the lane.

"The highways authority is responsible for route designation and it has not banned coaches," she said.

"Whilst some school parties may park and walk, school minibuses and occasionally school coaches ask to park because they do not want children walking in the narrow lane with two-way traffic flow without pavements.

"Because they are legally allowed to use the lane, preventing parking would double the number of journeys that these operators make to drop off and pick up children, rather than a single journey each way.

"It can also lead to inappropriate parking in the lane that can add to traffic issues.

"While we empathise with the concerns, as the situation stands we can only try to minimise the number of journeys and avert inappropriate parking."

The issue was due to be discussed by Kilve Parish Council last night (Thursday).

A county council spokesman said the authority would wait to hear from parish councillors following their meeting and would look at any request received.

Photo: Steve Guscott