THE closure of a main route leading out of Keynsham is causing chaos for people living in the nearby village of Compton Dando.
Charlton Road has been shut from the edge of the town, near Parkhouse Lane, to the Woollard Lane junction for major reconstruction and resurfacing.
Bath and North East Somerset Council is working in partnership with contractor Volker Highways on the scheme, and diversion signs have been put in place on approaches to the closed section of the road.
But a resident of Compton Dando has told the Voice that drivers coming from the Whitchurch direction have been ignoring the route advised by the signs and have instead tried to cut through the village.
Traffic approaching Woollard has then headed down Slate Lane and Peppershells Lane – a twisting, single-lane route with few passing places – and has caused gridlock.
One of the vehicles that got into difficulties trying to drive through the village was the scaffolding lorry pictured here.
Alison ter Haar said: “It’s absurd that BANES hasn’t thought of this. We shouldn’t be having this through a very quiet rural village. It’s totally out of order.”
She said that residents have struggled to travel to or from work, with some abandoning their cars and walking the rest of the way home.
Parents trying to drop their children off by car for school buses stopping in the village have also been unable to do so.
Alison said that residents have reported the issue to B&NES Council through Fix My Street but that, as of Wednesday afternoon (June 12), they had not had a response.
“BANES are not replying to our concerns. No thought has been put into what impact this would have.”
A council spokesperson said: “We apologise for disruption caused by these essential road maintenance works. The diversion routes are clearly signed and we encourage motorists to follow them to minimise pressure on other routes. The routes are also available to view on one.network.
“We monitor all road closures and have noted that the subsequent days of the works saw significantly less traffic using adjacent lanes. However we will continue to monitor the impact on traffic flow and will address any issues if needed. The works are expected to take three weeks to complete.”
