THE NEED for a new bus lane along part of the A4 Bath Road in Saltford has been questioned by the parish council.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has been consulting on its proposals to shape the future of travel along the A4 between Bath and Bristol.
They include a bus lane running for about half a mile from the Broadmead roundabout to just before Copse Road.
It would run in the Bath direction only and is shorter than the bus lane WECA had proposed previously.
But Saltford Parish Council says this section of the road generally flows well, even at peak times, and has few bus stops, so the benefit of the bus lane would appear limited.
It therefore asks WECA provide traffic modelling data to show how the proposed lane would reduce bus journey times and improve reliability.
The parish council is concerned that the bus lane would reduce green space and bring pedestrians and cyclists closer to traffic.
It also argues that replacing pedestrian islands with several crossings controlled by traffic lights could significantly disrupt traffic flow and increase journey times for all users, including buses. It recommends retaining island crossings where possible.
The parish council is also critical of WECA proposals to introduce three crossings with traffic lights at the Broadmead roundabout.
Although it recognises the intention to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, it says these crossings are likely to increase congestion and the risk of accidents.
It says pedestrian islands would be preferable to the crossings proposed for B3116 Bath Road entrance, Broadmead Lane junction and the Bristol-bound approach. Also, the Broadmead Lane crossing should be moved further back.
Keynsham Town Council has also expressed “grave concerns” about the impact the proposed changes to the roundabout would have.
It says: “The roads in this location are already at capacity, with long queues exiting Broadmead Lane. These queues have increased immensely since the opening of the Pixash Lane Recycling Centre, where traffic is directed along Ashmead Road to join already queuing traffic from Waitrose, the industrial units on Broadmead Industrial Estate and the retail and industrial units on Ashmead Industrial Estate.
“The suggestion of installing crossing points close to this already busy roundabout is an accident waiting to happen. The sight lines when manoeuvring around this roundabout are obscured by excessive foliage which is probably left in order to slow traffic down.
“A much safer option would be the construction of underpasses which would allow for safe walking routes to school for the many young children that already have to cross the busy Bath Road and those wishing to walk to the takeaway outlets on Broadmead Lane.”
The town council welcomes planned routes for cyclists and pedestrians from the Broadmead roundabout to the A4 junction with Norman Road in Saltford.
It says: “The separation of cycle paths from waking routes is an improvement and Keynsham Town Council support this proposal.”
Regarding proposals for Norman Road, Saltford Parish Council welcomes improvements aimed at pedestrians and cyclists and welcomes WECA’s confirmation that no parking spaces will be lost.
But it questions the need for raised road surfaces, as speeding on Norman Road and the High Street is generally not a problem.
It also says that the signage and 28 new road markings proposed would harm the historic appearance of the area.
Although the parish council welcomes improved access from the A4 for cyclists using the Bath to Bristol railway path, it stresses the need for a dedicated continuous cycle route to avoid safety and congestion issues on Saltford’s narrow roads.
The parish council objects to the proposal to resurface and widen the path behind the Bird in Hand pub to improve access to railway path. It says it prioritises cyclists, risking the safety of pedestrians and users of mobility scooters due to a steep gradient that would increase cycling speeds.
It recommends that cyclists should be banned from the path and instead use Avon Lane (0.2 miles away), which offers safer access and better visibility.
The parish council welcomes proposed changes and upgrades to bus stops within Saltford.
It recommends positioning bus stops as far back from the highway as possible, to improve safety and comfort, especially in bad weather. Where possible, dedicated lay-bys should be used to keep buses out of traffic.
Keynsham Town Council says the proposal to move some bus stops out of lay-bys has not been thought through properly.
It said: “Road users are often stuck behind buses where the driver has stopped for a lunch break, a rest break or to switch over drivers, due to the bus being stopped on the main highway.”
The town council added that many bus stops needed to be upgraded, timetables should be clear, and disused bus stops needed to be marked as such to avoid bus users standing at stops that are not serviced.
Saltford Parish Council said all bus stops should have shelters (the Bath-bound stop at The Shallows currently lacks one) and have digital displays showing live bus updates.
In general, Saltford Parish Council (SPC) considers that the WECA consultation lacks enough detail for a fully informed response and that many key aspects remain unclear.
Pictured below: Proposals for three new crossings at the Broadmead roundabout, as envisaged in this design, have come under fire
