WORK on constructing a new shared pedestrian and cycle route along a major route in Keynsham has been put back until early next year.
The project to build the route to help connect the town centre to the A4 Bath Road was due to start in August 2026.
But Galtec, the contractor commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset Council, to complete the scheme, now says work will not start before January 2027.
In a letter to residents living near the route, Galtec said: “Before starting a project of this scale, we carry out detailed investigations of underground utilities.
“The latest investigation has identified a more complex scope of works than expected and a number of services, including drainage and cabling, that will now need to be diverted.
“We’re now working with the owners of this infrastructure to coordinate these diversions as part of the overall programme. This will help us to work efficiently and reduces the chance of the project going on longer than planned.
“Because of the number of organisations involved, we believe January 2027 is a realistic revised start date.”
The proposed route would start near the entrance to the Memorial Park on Bath Hill and continue to Bath Road (B3115), opposite the Wellsway Sports Centre entrance.
In its original letter to residents, Galtec said that, to help minimise disruption, traffic management measures would generally operate between 9.30am and 3pm during school term time, with extended hours during school holidays.
As the work progressed, either two-way or three-way temporary traffic controls would be used, depending on the location.
Where possible, road resurfacing would take place in the evening to reduce daytime disruption.
Temporary pedestrian crossing points would also be provided to maintain safe access.
Access to residential driveways and business premises would be maintained throughout the project, which Galtec says is likely to take eight months to complete.
The new route is part of the West of England Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, which envisages a network of priority walking and cycling corridors across the region by 2036.
