Update 8 November: Saltford Parish Council (SPC) has resolved a robust and detailed response to the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultation.
A copy of SPC’s full response can be downloaded here: Saltford Parish Council A4 Bath to Bristol Consultation Response 4 November 2025 (and is summarised below).
The response was formally resolved at SPC’s meeting on 4 November 2025 and has been submitted to WECA. Saltford Parish Council extends sincere thanks to the residents who addressed the Council with their views and attended the meeting, and to those residents who attended WECA’s ‘drop in’ session in Saltford.
SPC strongly encourages all Saltford residents to respond directly to the consultation, ensuring their views are submitted to the appropriate authority.
Visit the ‘Have Your Say West’ questionnaire page at https://haveyoursaywest.co.uk/index.php?contentid=67 or view each set of proposals and submit a response in the text box. More details on how to respond are below.
Your views will help ensure community concerns are properly considered. SPC really appreciates residents taking the time to engage and respond to this WECA consultation.
Summary of SPC’s response to the WECA ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultation
(Reference: WECA A4 Bath to Bristol Consultation – Saltford & Keynsham sections, and all bus stops).
A4: Broadmead Roundabout to Saltford Village
SPC acknowledges WECA’s intention to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists but raises significant concerns about the proposed light-controlled crossings at Broadmead Roundabout. SPC believes these would increase congestion, worsen safety, and create unnecessary disruption.
Key points include:
- ~ Three proposed crossings at Broadmead Roundabout are considered inappropriate in their current form.
- ~ SPC recommends removing the proposed B3116 crossing or replacing it with a pedestrian island, not a light-controlled crossing.
- ~ The Broadmead Lane crossing should be relocated further from the roundabout and redesigned as a pedestrian island.
- ~ Traffic-light-controlled crossings near the Bristol-bound approach would likely worsen congestion and driver behaviour; pedestrian islands with tactile paving are recommended instead.
- ~ Traffic movement improvements:
SPC urges WECA to prevent vehicles in the right-hand Keynsham Bypass lane (on approach to Broadmead Roundabout) from continuing straight onto the A4 towards Saltford, as this currently causes hazards and congestion. - ~Concerns about the proposed Bath-bound bus lane from Broadmead Roundabout:
- ~ Traffic generally flows well on this part of the A4; SPC questions the need for a bus lane here.
- ~ Requests WECA’s traffic modelling to evidence benefits.
- ~ Notes that service cost, cancellations (issue of ‘ghost buses’ etc), and capacity – not infrastructure – are the main concerns for residents rather than journey times, and urges WECA to work directly with bus operators.
- ~ Notes loss of green space and increased proximity of pedestrians/cyclists to moving traffic.
- ~ Additional light-controlled crossings along this stretch (linked to bus lane proposals) are strongly opposed due to their likely impact on journey times, traffic flow, and bus reliability.
- ~ Active travel routes:
SPC welcomes safer pedestrian and cycle routes but seeks clarity on how the proposals in WECA’s consultation relate to the existing Curo A4 Keynsham Bath Road project and current (confirmed) actions. - ~ Claims of improved traffic flow, air quality, and noise reduction require evidence, particularly given the potential for increased idling and stop-start movements due to the proposals above.
Norman Road (section from junction with A4 to Bird in Hand)
SPC recognises WECA’s intention to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists but raises several concerns:
- ~ Welcomes confirmation that no parking will be lost on High St, reflecting previous objections.
- ~ Raises concern about excessive tactile paving proposals at Norman Rd / A4 junctions (around SPC’s historic red K9 phone box) and need for this.
- ~ Questions the need for four raised surfaces, citing unclear purpose, risk of increased noise/air pollution, and little speeding problem in this area (bar anti-social driving – a police matter).
- ~ Strong concerns about raised areas near the War Memorial and along High Street in the Conservation Area, where heritage character must be preserved.
- ~ Objects to approx. 28 new road markings proposed for the High Street to mark as a ’20mph’ and cycle route, as inappropriate in a historic setting and also not required in such volume.
- ~ Requests corrections to mapping errors and clarity on missing information on WECA’s proposals at this location.
- ~ Notes increased cycling in general may increase access challenges (as more vehicles and cyclists share the same narrow highway) and requests detail on a dedicated continuous cycle route between Bristol and Bath (not including the Railway Path) as referred to by WECA, which is welcome in principle.
- ~ Requests a site meeting with WECA to review proposals on location so that SPC can gain a better understanding (due to lack of detail on maps and online consultation).
Saltford Railway Station
SPC welcomes the ongoing feasibility study and requests publication of findings and clear communication on next steps.
SPC’s support for a reopened station is strictly conditional on legally enforceable safeguards preventing any development on surrounding Green Belt land, recognised as an Area of Great Landscape Value.
Bristol & Bath Railway Path (General) and Newbridge Extension
- ~ SPC supports an additional alternative cycle route between Bristol and Bath.
- ~ Requests further detail.
- ~ Notes that several comments relating to Saltford’s access routes are covered under the Norman Road and Bird in Hand sections – see below.
Bird in Hand Connection, Saltford (aka ‘greenway’)
SPC opposes WECA’s proposals for the path behind the Bird in Hand pub due to safety risks:
- ~ The steep gradient and tight exit onto High Street/Mead Lane already present hazards; widening/smoothing the path may increase cyclist speeds and risk to both cyclists and other users.
- ~ SPC urges WECA to prohibit cycling on this path, retaining it for pedestrians and those using mobility aids only.
- ~ Recommends removing signage directing cyclists to this path.
- ~ Proposes cyclists are redirected via Avon Lane, a safer alternative, with surface improvements and removal of the metal chicane. A map of the proposed route for cyclists provided. (Bird steps and ramp maintained for cyclists looking to dismount).
- ~ Requests improved signage and information at the Railway Path for cyclists using the Avon Lane route.
- ~ Notes the long-standing historical significance of the “greenway” path, and that any improvement to the surface is sympathetic with the rural environment.
- ~ Raises environmental concerns, including habitat loss and inappropriate urbanisation of a rural area, should the path be widened.
- ~ Requests path improvements solely for safe pedestrian and mobility access, with speed-reducing measures in place to prevent use by cyclists (for safety – see above).
SPC has requested an on-site meeting with WECA and B&NES Ward Councillors to assess proposals directly.
Railway Path Improvements (Saltford to Bath)
- ~ SPC acknowledges environmental and active travel benefits of the Railway Path.
- ~ Reminds WECA that the section through Saltford is a sensitive SNCI and AONB location.
- ~ Requests full technical detail before being able to either support or object to proposed lighting – there is no detail in the consultation on the height, brightness, frequency etc of any lighting.
- ~ Notes potential ecological risks of lighting, and calls for a comprehensive wildlife survey.
- ~ If lighting is pursued, SPC recommends limited winter use, motion sensors, restricted hours, and designs that preserve rural character.
Bus Stop Upgrades
SPC welcomes proposed upgrades in Saltford in general, and requests that:
- ~ All bus shelters include lighting and real-time digital information displays.
- ~ All bus stops have shelters and welcomes proposals for this
Applicable to all bus stops included in the A4 Bath to Bristol Consultation, SPC states:
- ~ Stops be placed as far from the carriageway as possible for safety and to ensure good traffic flow. This would improve safety and comfort for passengers using bus stops, and ensuring smooth traffic flow for vehicles (including buses) and cyclists along the A4
- ~ Bus laybys be included wherever feasible
- ~ SPC objects to any proposals to relocate existing layby-equipped stops – or to install new bus stops – directly in the main traffic lane.
Other Comments & Consultation Process
SPC expresses strong concerns about:
- ~ Lack of detail in the consultation, despite WECA stating this is the “last full public consultation” on the matters raised.
- ~ Parish Councils were not directly consulted by WECA or sent any information before the consultation opened or when the consultation opened (only individual Councillors), raising questions about consultation validity. When raised by SPC to rectify, no actions were taken by WECA.
- ~ SPC and Parish Council staff were not informed or invited to key briefings, and the first drop-in session (Keynsham) was inaccessible due to late notice.
- ~ SPC resolved to submit a formal complaint to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of WECA (latter also the Leader of B&NES Council), and others, noting oversight of Parish Councils as statutory stakeholders.
SPC also raises:
- ~ Significant concerns about future development pressures in Saltford and Keynsham, and the impact on the A4 corridor.
- ~ Existing severe congestion, especially during peak traffic or lane closures.
- ~ Importance of WECA considering current and future demand in all A4 proposals.
SPC has requested a site meeting with WECA and B&NES Ward Councillors to properly review the Norman Road, High Street, and Railway Path proposals.
SPC has also submitted a formal complaint to WECA about not being directly consulted on the A4 Bath to Bristol consultation.
UPDATE: 7 November – SPC November meeting (4 Nov) and WECA ‘Drop-in’ event (7 Nov)
SPC’s November meeting: Saltford Parish Council resolved its response to the WECA A4 Bath to Bristol Consultation at its November meeting. The Parish Council resolved its response at its November meeting so that residents had the opportunity to speak on both the B&NES Local Plan Options Consultation (which includes Transport) and the WECA A4 Bath to Bristol consultation at the same time. In August, SPC was informed by the Deputy WECA Mayor and Leader of B&NES Council that the two authorities had intentionally launched their consultations at similar times due to their relevance to one another. (SPC also needed to resolve its response at its 4 November meeting because the WECA consultation closes on 2 December, the same date as SPC’s next meeting).
SPC thanks those residents who contacted the Parish Council both before and who addressed the Council during ‘Public Time’ at its November meeting with regards to both consultations, and for their attention as this item was discussed and resolved by the Council. SPC’s draft minutes from the meeting will be available on its ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes‘ page (see Items 11 & 12) and on our noticeboard (space permitting).
WECA Drop-Ins: SPC would have liked to have given more notice about the Keynsham drop in on 24 October and the Salford drop-in on 7 November. Unfortunately Saltford Parish Council was not informed by WECA about its public drop-in sessions or when these would take place until the day after the consultation opened (following notification by a Ward Councillor, when SPC contacted WECA for details). WECA confirmed to SPC that a drop-in session for residents would take place on Friday 7 November at St Mary’s Church Hall (2:30–8:30pm), which SPC publicised. SPC thanks all the residents who took the time to attend and engage with WECA Officers.
As the Saltford drop-in date was after SPC’s scheduled November meeting, SPC Councillors and staff also attended the drop in on 7 November independently, and took the opportunity to engage with WECA officers to request more detail on proposals. It is hoped that the WECA Officers engaged with will take up SPC’s invitation to carry out a site visit to the village, with SPC and Ward Councillors, prior to developing further the proposals in the consultation.
This was also requested due to the Parish Council’s view that the WECA consultation lacks adequate detail on some proposals. SPC hopes to expand on the points and concerns as raised in its response at any meeting. SPC appreciated WECA officers being amenable to this suggestion at the WECA drop-in session in Saltford.
L-R: Saltford PC Cllrs Paul Smith and Andy Rice at the WECA drop-in event, on Friday 7 November (St Mary’s Church Hall)
As yet, Saltford Parish Council has not been directly consulted by WECA on the A4 Bath to Bristol consultation, and will be raising a formal complaint regarding this – as also resolved at its November meeting.
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Original article:
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) opened its ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultation on 21 October. Residents have the chance to respond to the public consultation until 2 December 2025.
To view proposals in the A4 Bath to Bristol consultation visit the ‘Have Your Say West’ page for the A4 Bath to Bristol (at https://haveyoursaywest.co.uk/index.php).
Detail on navigating the consultation website for matters relating to Saltford can be found below.
Online responses to WECA can be submitted in the boxes provided in each proposal, or via the ‘Questionnaire’ page.
Residents can also respond by post. Hardcopies of the A4 Bath to Bristol questionnaire are available at libraries (including to Saltford Community Post Office and Library – subject to availability), at WECA’s consultation ‘drop in’ events, and can be downloaded from the consultation website and posted for free. Further detail on how to respond can be found below under ‘How can I respond?’
Image shows the front of WECA’s A4 Bath to Bristol A5 postcard
When will SPC resolve its view?
Saltford Parish Council (SPC) will resolve its response to the consultation at its Tuesday 4 November 2025 meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend, and – time permitting – may address the Council under the ‘Public Time’ item.
Please view our ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes’ page for more information, including Public Engagement Guidelines.
The agenda for the November meeting will be published by Thursday 30 October. Draft minutes following SPC’s meeting are generally published c. 1 week following a meeting.
SPC’s response to the WECA A4 Bath to Bristol consultation is likely to be shared soon after the November meeting on SPC’s website and social media.
Context to WECA’s latest transport consultation
Prior to responding, residents may wish to view the consultation page’s ‘About‘ section which gives context to the current consultation. This includes a section titled ‘What’s changed since 2023’. This relates to the previous consultation carried out by WECA on the ‘A4 Bath to Bristol Corridor’ in autumn 2023.
To view Saltford Parish Council’s response to the 2023 consultation, please view our article titled ‘SPC strongly objects to A4 Bath to Bristol consultation proposals‘ (published September 2023).
An engagement report was produced by WECA following the 2023 consultation, which can be viewed on the consultation’s ‘Downloads‘ page.
WECA states on its website: Since we last asked for your views in 2023, we’ve listened to your feedback and made changes to the designs. We’ve also carried out environmental and engineering surveys. We now have updated plans and want to hear what you think‘.
An example of this is High Street, Saltford – in 2023 the removal of parking spaces to allow installation of double yellow lines was included in proposals (as objected to by SPC and many residents). In the current consultation, WECA has stated under the ‘Keynsham and Saltford’ – ‘Norman Road’ section: ‘we have reviewed the plans following concerns raised during the 2023 consultation, and no parking spaces would need to be removed‘.
Residents may also wish to view the FAQ page, which also provides context to WECA’s consultation.
Image shows A4 Bath Road in Saltford, including one of the many bus stops in the village by the parade of shops. Photo taken October 2025.
What WECA is consulting on – and what isn’t included (NOT the A4 Keynsham Bypass)
WECA is inviting residents to share their views on updated proposals for the A4 corridor. View the ‘Proposals‘ page on the consultation for an overview of which areas are covered in the current consultation.
The consultation covers:
- ~ Short-term plans in Brislington – the longer-term proposals shown in WECA’s 2023 consultation (from West Town Lane towards Bristol city centre) are now part of a separate project and will be consulted on separately in the future.
- ~ Keynsham to Saltford and Bath
The ‘Proposals’ page displays the following map (below) – sections in green are included in the consultation. Sections in purple will be consulted on by WECA in the future.
Map taken from the ‘Proposals‘ page of WECA’s consultation website
WECA has stated on this page that they have decided to look again at proposals for the Keynsham bypass. Residents will recall that the 2023 consultation proposed bus lanes on the bypass, and a mobility hub also. As such, the current consultation is not looking for comments on the A4 Bypass in Keynsham and residents will have the opportunity to comment on any revised proposals for the A4 Keynsham Bypass in the future.
Where can I find proposals for Saltford?
The consultation is available online and in hard copy at libraries. Residents are encouraged to view the entire consultation website prior to responding, especially those who regularly travel in and out of Bristol and Bath.
Consultation proposals specifically relating to Saltford can be found online on the A4 Bath to Bristol consultation website as follows:
- ~ Keynsham and Saltford: This links to the following three boxes:
- i. The A4: Broadmead Roundabout to Saltford Village
- ii. Norman Rd
- iii. Saltford Railway Station
- ~Bristol and Bath Railway Path: This links to information at the start of the page which states ‘we aim to create a brand-new alternative cycle route between Bristol and Bath cutting four miles from the existing end-to-end trip‘ plus three further boxes as follows:
- i. Bird in Hand connection Saltford
- ii. Extending the Railway Path in Bath
- iii.Improvements to the Railway path between Saltford and Bath
- ~ Bus stops : This links to an interactive map where you can zoom into various areas. For Saltford, there are around nine proposed bus stop upgrades. Each one can be clicked on for a PDF of the proposed design at each location. For example, click on the following link to view a PDF of the upgrade proposals for the Bristol bound ‘The Shallows’ stop.
- ~ FAQs: Specific FAQs for Keynsham and Saltford can be found at the end of the page (three drop-down boxes). FAQs listed above the Keynsham and Saltford section are helpful for overall context.
- ~ Interactive map: This is helpful for zooming into Saltford to see the finer details of proposals.
WECA has sent paper copies of the consultation to libraries for residents to view onsite, this includes Saltford Post Office and Community Library at 478a Bath Road, Saltford – opening times at https://www.saltfordhub.org/ for opening times. A limited number of copies of the consultation may be available to take away also, subject to availability.
For more information on how to access paper copies of consultation information, please view SPC’s article (dated 27 October 2025): View current consultation documents in Saltford! Inc. B&NES Council’s ‘Local Plan Options’ and WECA’s ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultations.
Image shows laminated and bound copy of the A4 Bath to Bristol consultation available to view at Saltford Community Library.
How can I respond?
Residents can respond online via the Have Your Say West’ page .
At the end of each ‘Proposal’ page listed on the consultation website e.g. ‘Keynsham to Saltford’ or ‘Bus Stops’ (as linked above) there is a box titled ‘Have your say’, similar to the image below:
Following commenting in the box, just click ‘I’m not a robot’ then ‘submit’.
Alternatively, residents can respond online to all sections of the consultation via the ‘Questionnaire‘ page on the consultation website.
Paper copies of the Questionnaire are also available at libraries, including Saltford Community Post Office and Library (pending availability) at 478a Bath Road, Saltford. Opening times are available on their website.
WECA has shared that residents can also pick up a paper copy of the questionnaire at:
- ~ Consultation events (see table)
- ~ A local deposit point near you: Bristol Central Library, Stockwood Library, Wick Road Library, Bedminster Library, Knowle Library, Bath Central Library, Keynsham Library, Saltford Community Library, Mobile Library Newton St. Loe, and Mobile Library Newbridge.
Residents also have the option to download a PDF version of the Questionnaire to print and post (PDF here), and as available to download from the consultation website’s ‘Downloads‘ page.
Residents can return paper questionnaires to WECA, free of charge, by posting to: FREEPOST West of England Combined Authority.
Drop-in events – including in Saltford on 7 November
To speak to a member of the WECA team (and to pick up a paper questionnaire), WECA is running a number of ‘drop in’ events whilst the consultation is open.
The list of locations and times can be found on the consultation website’s ‘Get Involved‘ page.
The drop-in event in Saltford is listed for Friday 7 November, between 2.30pm-8.30pm, at St Mary’s Church Hall (Not in St Mary’s Church as advertised, SPC contacted WECA for clarification). Please note that some publicity has been issued by WECA with the incorrect time of 2-8pm for Saltford’s public drop in, WECA has confirmed that 2:30-8:30pm is correct and that their publicity has been updated.
Residents may also wish to be aware that a drop-in event in Keynsham will take place on Friday 24 October, at ‘The Space’ (‘Keynsham Community Space’ above Keynsham Library – 5 Temple Street, Keynsham), between 2.00pm-8.00pm.
Reverse of WECA’s A4 Bath to Bristol A5 postcard, with details about drop-in events locally
How to contact WECA:
Residents can contact WECA as follows:
~ Writing to: FREEPOST West of England Combined Authority
~ Emailing: bathtobristol@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
~ Calling: 0117 428 6210
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