The major roadworks schemes in BANES you need to prepare for in 2024

Where we can drive our cars has been a major conversation in Bath and North East Somerset in 2023.

Key debates have ranged from issues such Bath and North East Somerset Council's rollout of low traffic neighbourhoods^[1], and the anti-terror bollards in Bath city centre^[2], to the plans to overhaul the A4 between Bath and Bristol^[3], or the clash with Wiltshire over the continuing weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge^[4].

But in 2024, the main thing limiting drivers could be roadworks. With one 10-mile road closure set to go on for two nights and several small closures in villages causing diversions which go on for miles, here are some of the key road closures already planned to take place in 2024 across Bath and North East Somerset^[5] which you will want to avoid.

This is not an exhaustive list. Plans may change and new road works may be announced or have to happen at short notice.

January 2–3: The end of Church Street in Paulton between Holy Trinity Church and the roundabout with the High Street will be closed overnight from 9pm on January 2 until 6am on January 3. A five-mile diversion will be in place, taking traffic around the village through Farrington Gurney.

January 3–26: Stirtingale Road in Southdown, Bath^[6] will face a long closure while Wessex Water carry out work from January 3 to 26.

January 8–10:Keynsham^[7] High Street will be closed from January 8 to 10 while Bristol Water carries out some work. Traffic will be diverted along Ashton Way instead.

January 13–14: Work by Bristol Water will see a section of Wells Road (A39) in Hallatrow closed from the junction with Hart’s Lane in the village until it meets Bristol Road (A37) from January 13 to 14.

January 15–19: Summer Lane between Combe Down and Monkton Combe will be closed every day between January 15 and 19 between 9.30am and 11pm. Drivers will instead be directed up Brassknocker Hill at the other end of the village.

January 15–24: A short stretch of the Shallows in Saltford just before the car park on the Brass Mill side will be closed while Wales & West Utilities carries out some work.

January 22–24: Ham Lane in Paulton is set to be closed between January 22 and 24 for vegetation works with the National Grid.

January 23: Winford Road (B3130) will be closed for a short section as it goes through Chew Magna. The road will be closed between the junction with Chilyhill Lane to the junction with Chew Lane (B3114) by the Sacred Heart Church from 9.30am to 3.30pm on January 23. But the short closure will have a 23-and-a-half mile diversion, taking drivers through Winford, Churchill, and Compton Martin.

January 29–February 2: The road under the railway at the bottom of Lansdown View/Jews Lane in Twerton, Bath will be closed between 10pm and 6am each night from January 29 to February 2 while Network Rail carry out work.

February 1–2: Wick Road (A368) will be closed between the junction with Moorledge Road, just north of Bishop Sutton and the junction with the road to Stanton Drew, from 9.30am to 3pm each day. Despite only affecting a short stretch of the A368, the official diversion route would take you on a 40-mile trip through Churchill and Bristol along the A38, A4174, and A37.

Meanwhile east of Bath, there will be no access from the London Road junction onto the A4 going south, as the slip road will be closed overnight from 10pm on February 1 until 6am on February 2 for drainage works. A diversion will instead send drivers north up the A36 to turn around at the next roundabout, just past Cold Ashton.

February 5–7: Ten miles of the A36 will be closed from Bathampton all the way to Beckington for drainage work to be carried out. The road will be closed from 8pm until 6am on February 5 and February 6.

February 9–26: Part of Maggs Lane in Whitchurch will be closed while Wales & West Utilities carry out work from February 9 onwards. The lane will be closed from where it meets Bristol Road (A37) to the turning of St Nicholas Road. The one-way restriction on the rest of the road will be suspended while the closure is in place.

February 12–16: The Street in Marksbury will be closed between February 12 and 16 while sewer lining works are carried out by Wessex Water.

February 13–15: A stretch of Manor Road in Saltford will be closed by Haselbury Grove and the back of the primary school field for utility repair and maintenance work by Bristol Water between February 13 and 15.

February 15: Hayeswood Road (B3115) will be closed for a short section just west of Timsbury between 9.30 and 3.30 on February 15 while Openreach carry out work.

February 21–23: A segment of Tucking Mill Lane in Midford just west of the crossroads with Old Frome Road will be closed while Wessex Water carry out work from February 21 to 23. An almost 18-mile diversion will direct traffic the long way round via Midsomer Norton^[8].

Many more road closures throughout the rest of 2024 will get the go ahead as the year goes on. You can find out more about how to find out what road works are happening on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website here^[9].

References

1. ^{^} low traffic neighbourhoods (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} anti-terror bollards in Bath city centre (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} overhaul the A4 between Bath and Bristol (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^{^} clash with Wiltshire over the continuing weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Bath and North East Somerset (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Bath (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Keynsham (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
8. ^{^} Midsomer Norton (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
9. ^{^} find out more about how to find out what road works are happening on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website here (beta.bathnes.gov.uk)