Assurances sought over Keynsham bypass plans

A COUNCILLOR is seeking confirmation that there will be no bus lane of any kind on the Keynsham bypass.

Alan Hale contacted Metro Mayor Helen Godwin last December amid local concerns that a 24-hour bypass bus lane scheme might still be on the cards.

Speculation was fuelled in December 2025 when a resident saw contractors working in Keynsham Memorial Park who told him they were conducting a ground survey in preparation by a bypass bus lane.

Cllr Hale (Independent, Keynsham South, Bath & North East Somerset Council) contacted Ms Godwin for an explanation, while the Voice approached WECA for a response.

As reported in our January edition, a WECA spokesperson told us that previous proposals for bypass would not go ahead.

At the time, Cllr Hale had not heard back from Ms Godwin, but last month he received a reply.

Ms Godwin told him: “Following careful consideration, the proposed 24-hour bus lanes on the Keynsham bypass are not going ahead. Officers have been tasked with developing alternative options for local people to consider and have their say on in 2026. These proposals have yet to be finalised.

“On-site survey work is taking place to help understand potential new ways to increase public transport options for the area, in line with the position I’ve consistently set out.

“This design work is still ongoing, in partnership with local councils, so was not included in the recent consultation about other parts of the transport corridor between Bath and Bristol.

“Everyone who calls the West home knows that traffic is often a problem along the A4, particularly at rush hour. These revised proposals are a result of listening to local people, including in Keynsham and Saltford last year, and aim to cut congestion and pollution.”

Cllr Hale told the Voice: “The mayor’s email was good news. However, I have written back to her because I want clarity and confirmation that the bypass will definitely be left alone, full stop.

“I am just a little concerned that there is a degree of ambiguity in the wording ‘the proposed 24-hour bus lanes on the Keynsham bypass are not going ahead.’

“Is there the danger that there will be a part-time bus lanes for the rush hours, is the question I have. Hopefully, Mayor Godwin will be able to disabuse me and make that absolute statement that nothing will be done to the bypass.”

Cllr Hale said he believed a bus lane on the bypass “would cause significant traffic hold-ups every day, with the potential of the town itself being used as a rat run to avoid the congestion.”