Updated article (July 2023)
Wellsway Keynsham roadworks – please plan your journey
Bath & North East Somerset Council is advising people plan their journeys from 24th July for up to 12 weeks when Wellsway in Keynsham closes to allow Wessex Water to build a new relief sewer.
A diversion route will be in place for the duration of the closure, which extends between the entrance to Rockhill Estate to its junction with Bath Road. The diversion route can be seen here.
B&NES Council has asked Wessex Water to time the works to coincide with the start of the school summer holidays to minimise disruption to the local traffic network.
Wessex Water is building a new relief sewer to address historical issues with flooding in the residential neighbourhood around Wellsway. You can find out more about the project here.
Councillor Manda Rigby, B&NES Council cabinet member for Transport said: “This project marks the start of Wessex Water’s significant investment into Keynsham that we hope will bring significant benefits to residents. We’re advising motorists to plan their journey to the area ahead of time as unfortunately there may be some delays to traffic, but efforts have been made to minimise the disruption, including carrying out the works over school holidays.”
Alex Aulds, Project Manager for Wessex Water said: “We have met with [Town and Parish] councils in both Keynsham and Saltford to better understand the impact this road closure will have and ensure the appropriate measures are in place to direct traffic on to the diversion route. We have also written to residents, schools and businesses locally to make them aware of the project and are working closely with Keynsham Cricket Club, near to the site of the project, to reduce the impact as much as possible.’’
Original article (April 2023)
Twelve weeks of road works, including a road closure, will start in July 2023 on the B3116 Wellsway, Keynsham (near Keynsham Cricket Club). These works were moved from Spring 2023 to take place during the school summer holidays to help minimise disruption.
Works are being carried out by Wessex Water. Due to SPC’s concerns about the impact of the planned road works on Saltford’s residents including ‘rat running’ through the lanes, SPC invited Wessex Water’s Project Manager for the scheme to its March meeting to discuss plans for diversions etc. Members of the public were also welcome to attend and ask questions.
Minutes from the March 2023 meeting (item 7) can be found on our ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes‘ page and copied below:
WESSEX WATER INFORMAL BRIEFING: KEYNSHAM SEWER FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME SUMMER 2023
The Council received an informal briefing from the Wessex Water Project Manager for the Keynsham Sewer Flood Alleviation Scheme (works to take place on the B3116 Wellsway, Keynsham, for c.12 weeks starting July 2023) about the scope of the scheme and proposed measures to mitigate local impacts. The Project Manager explained that to reduce flooding incidents, Wessex Water would be investing over £500,000 to install a new 170 metre section of foul sewer in the carriageway of the B3116 Wellsway requiring a road closure, and that alternative options had been explored prior to concluding that closing the highway would be required. It was shared that the diversion route will be the A39 and the A4 through Saltford.
The Project Manager answered questions about the scheme from those present. In response to concerns about ‘rat-running’ on the lanes between Saltford and Keynsham, the Project Manager shared details about signed diversion routes on the A39 and A4 as well as signage which will be displayed on minor roads. SPC requested further information about planned highways roadworks on the A4 Bath Road during the period of the works, which B&NES Ward present at the meeting said he would look into. At SPC’s request Wessex Water agreed to share letters it intends to send to residents for SPC to share on its website and social media channels.
B&NES Council, the Highways Authority, state that if residents have any queries regarding this proposal, please direct all enquiries to the applicant. A notice of the works as sent by B&NES Council (the Highways Authority) is in the image below and can be viewed by clicking here:
Full details of the proposal will be available on the B&NES Council website at the following link: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/streets-and-highway-maintenance/roadworks/temporary-traffic-regulation-order-notices