A NEW 40mph speed limit has been proposed for the length of the Keynsham Bypass.
The new limit – a reduction from the current 70mph – would be enforced by average-speed cameras at each end.
But the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has dropped a previous proposal for a 24-hour bus lane on each side of the bypass for its entire length, fulfilling a pledge made by West of England mayor Helen Godwin during her election campaign.
Instead, there would be a 200-metre bus lane to serve each of two new bus stops planned for either side of the bypass.
A proposed mobility hub in the Memorial Park has also been dropped from the revised proposals.
WECA, which has opened a public consultation on the scheme, says its proposals would allow for the extension of the X39 bus route into Keynsham.
Also included in the scheme are:
*A new 2.1-mile (3.45km) ‘active travel’ path along the full length of the southern side of the bypass, segregated from the A4.
*A reduction in the speed limit on Hicks Gate roundabout from 40mph to 30mph.
*Widening the path along Station Road to be shared use and improving crossings at Pool Barton and Priory Road.
*Improving the Keynsham High Street roundabout to increase safety for all users, including new zebra crossings on each approach. To create the necessary space, the Keynsham Church bus stop B might be removed or relocated.
The two new bus stops on the bypass would be linked by a staggered crossing providing access from the Memorial Park and Gaston Avenue.
WECA says these stops would need only a short section (around 200 metres) of bus lane to support buses safely moving in and out of traffic.
Twelve existing bus stops that would be upgraded as part of the scheme are: Two on Durley Hill (Keynsham Cemetery stops, eastbound and westbound); two on Bristol Road (rugby club stops, eastbound and westbound); two on Bath Road (Unity Road stops, eastbound and westbound); two on Bath Hill (The Talbot eastbound, and Wellsway northbound); two on High Street (Keynsham Church stops A and C, eastbound and westbound); Keynsham Station stops A and C.
WECA says the lower 40mph bypass speed limit is needed to safely implement the shared-use path and the crossing between the new bus stops.
To allow for the shared-use path, the traffic lanes alongside it and the central reservation would be slightly narrowed.
WECA says the lower 30mph speed limit on the Hicks Gate roundabout is needed for a new crossing 60 metres to the south of the roundabout, on the A4175.
The work on the High Street roundabout would involve the loss of some parking either side of the street leading up to the roundabout, and the existing short-stay 30-minute parking space would also be removed. Parking by Fear Hall would be amended to provide two Blue Badge parking spaces, a loading bay and a length of parking bay for general use.
The bypass proposals are part of WECA’s plans for the A4 Bath-to-Bristol ‘corridor’, which also include a 1.2km bus lane from the Broadmead roundabout in Keynsham to Copse Road in Saltford.
West of England mayor Helen Godwin said: “Anyone who travels along the A4 knows how busy and congested it can be. As our region continues to grow, we need transport infrastructure that keeps pace and gives people more choices for how we travel.
“Over the last eighteen months, I have been listening to residents in Keynsham and Saltford – and hope that people can see that the revised plans, like retaining the K1 bus alongside the new K2 bus, reflect their feedback.
“These proposed upgrades should now make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, and use public transport, while helping to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability for everyone.
“I encourage everyone who lives in or travels to this part of the West Country to take part in this consultation and help shape our investment in the area for years to come.”
Councillor Sarah Warren, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: “For many years, the X39 has passed Keynsham without stopping. These proposals would change that, giving residents access to a fast and frequent service with up to four buses an hour to Bath and Bristol, alongside better walking, wheeling and cycling connections.
“Whether you live in Keynsham or regularly travel between Bath and Bristol, I encourage you to take part in the consultation and share your views.”
In response to the proposals, B&NES councillor George Leach (Liberal Democrat, Keynsham North) said: “To start with the positive, I support the idea of a segregated cycle lane alongside the bypass. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end.
“Despite the people of Keynsham being clear, repeatedly, that they wish the bypass to remain as it is, WECA continue to push ahead with their baffling desire to waste public money.
“It’s incredible to me that anyone would consider putting a bus stop and crossing in the middle of a bypass and think this is a good solution, rather than simply routing the X39 through Keynsham as a condition of the next contractual renewal. Perhaps the combined authority ought to dictate routes, not bus operators?
“The original proposal mooted for a bus stop on the bypass some years ago involved bus stops off the road and a bridge linking across to the Memorial Park. Instead, we’ve been presented with another proposal nobody asked for after the fiasco of an absurd 24/7 bus lane previously.”
*The public consultation on WECA’s proposals runs until September 22. To have your say, visit https://www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk/keynsham/
Pictured top, a WECA image of the new bus stops and crossing on the bypass
Below, the proposed path through the Memorial Park, the High Street roundabout, and Station Road
