WORK to create wider pedestrian and cycle lanes alongside the A4 from Saltford to Keynsham has been completed after a lengthy overrun.
It is part of a regional plan funded by the West of England Combined Authority using government grants to facilitate walking, cycling, and public transport.
The outline plans first appeared in WECA’s Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) 2020-2036. The aim is to create better active travel links from Saltford to Keynsham leading to the Memorial Park and Keynsham railway station.
Curo made a financial contribution to the A4 work as part of an agreement linked to its planning permission for new homes at Withies Green, and the active travel lanes were laid by Curo contractors Galtec.
The path from Saltford to Keynsham could link to a cycle path alongside the Keynsham Bypass in WECA proposals currently out to public consultation.
Councillor Duncan Hounsell (Bath & North East Somerset, Saltford) said: “The works overran and caused great frustration. I will be speaking to a WECA scrutiny panel to help ensure lessons are learned for future such works.
“However, I welcome this infrastructure which will benefit Saltford, not least schoolchildren going to and from Wellsway School.”
Cllr Andy Wait (B&NES, Keynsham East) said: “I am pleased. This fills a gap in the local cycling infrastructure. I look forward to this section joining up with the proposed cycle lane by the Keynsham Bypass.”
Local resident Hossein Pirooz, who lives next to the path, said: “The path gets very busy with youngsters cycling to school, so it makes good sense for it to be widened with a separate lane for bikes where possible.
“Walking to Flourish or accessing the public footpaths towards Manor Nature Reserve is now much nicer.
“There used to be narrow sections of the path that ran very close to the road, and I feel much safer walking with my children since the improvements.
“It’s good to see that topsoil has been replaced in the sections where the grass verge used to be. I hope it will allow grass or wildflowers to establish and improve the look of the path by next spring.”
The WECA public consultation on transport plans for Keynsham and the bypass can be found at www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk/keynsham
Pictured, councillors Andy Wait (B&NES Keynsham East), Duncan Hounsell (B&NES Saltford ward) Hal MacFie (B&NES Keynsham East), and local resident Hossein Pirooz
A4 walking and cycling route finished at last
