New Keynsham mini-roundabout to improve safety

A NEW mini-roundabout has been taking shape at the junction of Charlton Road and Charlton Park in Keynsham.

Temporary traffic signals have been in place to allow Bath & North East Somerset Council to carry out the work.

The scheme includes widening the pavement and improving crossings.

It has been welcomed by local councillors George Leach and Alex Beaumont, who said it has allowed them to achieve one of their campaign promises to residents following a meeting with more than 100 of them in early 2023.

Cllr Leach said: “Our hope is this will both make it easier to join Charlton Road from Charlton Park whilst also slowing down traffic approaching St Ladoc Road.

“As you can imagine, a lot of work has gone into this behind the scenes so we are really pleased and thank B&NES officers for their work to help bring this to fruition and deliver on residents’ expressed ask of us.”

Councillor Alan Hale also welcomed the changes, stating on Facebook that “having suggested this measure some ten years ago, I am pleased to see it finally being acted upon, bringing additional road safety benefits.

“The benefits will be that emerging from Charlton Park will be safer, and emerging from St Ladoc Road will be safer as traffic approaching from the right around a blind bend should be slower, giving more time to safely emerge.”

But although some local residents supported the changes on social media, others said they would have preferred to see alternatives to a mini-roundabout, such as speed bumps, traffic lights or a zebra crossing.