Wellsway road in Keynsham reopens after 12-week closure

THE Wellsway road in Keynsham has reopened to traffic to through traffic following the completion of a major sewer scheme.

The B3116 was closed in July between Rock Hill Estate and the Bath Road roundabout to allow construction of the new relief sewer in the road.

The scheme will help address historic issues with sewage system flooding in the area around Limekilns Close and Keynsham Cricket Club, with two separate systems now connected by 170 metres of new sewer.

Alex Aulds, manager of the £500,000 project by Wessex Water, said: “We’re pleased to complete this important project and get the road back open for the people of Keynsham right on schedule.

“We worked closely with B&NES Council and in conversation with Keynsham Town Council so that this work was timed to ensure the majority of it coincided with the school summer holidays, keeping disruption to local people to a minimum. 

“Naturally, with a scheme of this type, some disruption was inevitable but we would like to thank the local community for their co-operation, patience, support and understanding while the work was carried out.

“We have written to customers to inform them about the end of the project and thank them directly.’’

Meanwhile, a two-year programme of improvements by Wessex Water is under way at the town’s water recycling centre off Broadmead Lane.

The company is spending £16.5 million to enhance the site, allow further infrastructure to be installed, and update processes for the treatment of waste water.

In Saltford, the construction of a bridge over the River Avon to provide a permanent access to the Mead Lane water recycling centre is nearing completion, with a two-year £34 million expansion of the site getting under way in early 2024.

Boosting the capacity of this water recycling centre, which treats sewage and waste water from Bath and the surrounding area, will enable Wessex Water to treat more than 800 litres of waste water per second – around a 40 per cent increase on current flows – to help meet increasing demands before it is returned to the environment.