Residents ‘incredulous’ over major changes planned for Bristol to …

The proposed major changes to the A4 Bath road to improve travelling by bus or bicycle have been met with anger from residents who live along that route. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is consulting the public[1] with regard to the changes along this busy corridor with consultations due to close tomorrow (Sunday October 1).

The project runs from Three Lamps junction in Totterdown to the Windsor Bridge Road in Bath[2]. This covers the A4 Bath Road, the Keynsham bypass and the A36 Bristol Road. The public consultation opened in August and will close this weekend with WECA saying feedback on the survey[3] will decide what happens next.

Saltford resident, Chris Warren said there is a lot of concern among the Saltford residents and neighbouring villages, particularly with regard to dedicated bus lanes around the Keynsham Bypass, which is currently a dual carriageway. He confirmed a meeting was held on Saturday, September 23, with a big crowd gathering, leaving standing room only.

Mr Warren said: “The proposals, the cost and who WECA is was explained. Once people were made aware of what it was all about, the mood was incredulous.”

“A hell of a lot of traffic converges on that bypass and removing one lane for buses will have serious implications. There would be tailbacks within 20 minutes,” he said. As a keen cyclist, he added he would not want to cycle along such a route and also questioned why rail was not being considered as a transport solution

Mr Warren said at the meeting, no hands went up when a show of support for the project was called. He added that there is also an online petition ‘No A4 Bus Lanes’[6].

The Saltford Parish Council[7] (SPC) has also submitted ‘strong objections to many of the proposals’ to the A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultation. The Parish Council said the response was resolved at its September meeting following a presentation by Bath & North East Somerset Council and WECA officers.

It said: “SPC is resolute in its view that proposals for changes on the Keynsham Bypass and in Saltford provide no transport benefit for residents, and instead, come at huge resident expense.” It added: “the proposals would result in a significant loss of amenity, worsening of air quality, significant safety issues (for those in vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians), increased congestion on the A4 and Saltford and residential road, negatively impact ‘active travel’ incentive and come at huge expense to the residents of Saltford and its businesses.”

It also said it was specifically opposed to bus lanes along the Keynsham Bypass due to the negative impact on Saltford for ‘a theoretical minimal gain in speed for some buses’.

WECA said the aim of the changes would be to make it easier and safer for cyclists, while making buses slightly quicker and more reliable. When the survey was launched on August 22, 2023, a WECA spokesman said there were plans to transform the current Bath Road in Brislington[8] and Totterdown with cycle and bus lanes.

He said: “Other transport ideas include changes to the Keynsham Bypass, new junctions, plus potentially new cycle and bus lanes all the way between areas like Totterdown to those like Saltford, as well as other ideas to be considered by those who live and work in the communities along the Bath to Bristol routes.”

“But it is recognised that these proposals will not be good for everyone, which is why residents are being urged to take part in the six week consultation and help share the plans on the table,” he said, adding the plans were part of a £540 million programme to improve public transport across the region. Have your say on the public consultation survey here.[9]

References

  1. ^ consulting the public (b2b.haveyoursaywest.co.uk)
  2. ^ Bath (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  3. ^ the survey (b2b.haveyoursaywest.co.uk)
  4. ^ Big changes coming to major road that runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  5. ^ Andy Burnham and West of England mayor meet to discuss Bristol bus franchising (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  6. ^ ‘No A4 Bus Lanes’ (www.a4united.org.uk)
  7. ^ Saltford Parish Council (www.saltfordparishcouncil.gov.uk)
  8. ^ Brislington (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  9. ^ here. (b2b.haveyoursaywest.co.uk)

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