Curo has informed residents and stakeholders about highway improvement works along the A4 Bath Road and B3116, required under planning permission (ref: 20/20673/OUT) for 208 homes.
These works commenced today (8 September 2025), please view SPC’s news article dated 27 titled ‘CURO Works on A4 Bath Road (Keynsham) – Starts 8 Sept 2025 for 35 weeks’, based on information from B&NES Council (the Highways Authority). Curo has shared that a 24/7 contact number will be in place throughout the period: 0370 050 0797
As part of the development Curo has Section 106 obligations, and works associated with these obligations must be completed before the 50th home is occupied in their new residential development. Curo will part-fund some infrastructure improvements, with – SPC understands – the West of England Combined Authority funding the remainder.
These key infrastructure improvements listed by Curo include:
- New traffic light junction for safe site access
- Segregated footway/cycleway from Saltford to Broadmead Roundabout
- Bus stop upgrades and widened footways
- New pedestrian crossings and improved active travel links
- Better connectivity with the Bristol-Bath Railway Path
Image above shows the location of the A4 Curo development in Keynsham in August 2025 (prior to works commencing).
Who decided on these key infrastructure improvements?
SPC has been informed by a B&NES Council Ward Councillor that the key infrastructure objectives above stem from the LCWIP (Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan) Improvements, and that they are a part of a regional plan funded by WECA (West of England Combined Authority) to facilitate walking, cycling, and public transport.
Saltford Parish Council (SPC) responded to the West of England LCWIP consultation in spring 2020.
The LCWIP Report was subsequently published January 2021, and included annotated maps for this area (for reference, titled under ‘Keynsham’ rather than ‘Saltford’). The following image shows a map of this area from the LCWIP report for Keynsham (download a PDF here), please view the document in detail for further information and more ‘Keynsham’ maps on the WECA website.
SPC’s requests align with several infrastructure improvements – evidenced by consultation responses (Sept 2024)
SPC has approached B&NES Council and Curo for comment to find out more out about the origins of the infrastructure works, and if the decision making process for these works included any other consultations, including those that have taken place that are more local to Saltford that residents – and SPC – may have responded to.
In particular, Saltford Parish Council recognises direct parallels between the above infrastructure improvements as part-funded by Curo via Section 106 and SPC’s response to B&NES Council’s Creating Sustainable Communities in North East Somerset: The Journey to Net Zero (September 2024). Where possible, SPC hopes that its views are taken into account to improve ‘active travel’ and use of public transport in our area.
It could be, further to the LCWIP consultation and report (see image and above), that some of the obligations that are arising as part of the A4 Curo development have also stemmed from outcomes following B&NES Council’s two public consultations, to which SPC responded in September 2024.
In its responses to B&NES Council’s strategic transport consultations of 2024, SPC looked to improve access and sustainable travel in Saltford and highlighted several barriers affecting their ability to access local services and use sustainable transport options in Saltford, particularly along the busy A4 Bath Road. SPC recognised that these issues impacted the safety, comfort, and accessibility of travel for many, especially more vulnerable individuals. SPC’s key concerns and suggestions included:
1. Lack of safe pedestrian crossings
There is a pressing need for safe pedestrian refuge islands or crossings at key points along the A4 and that without these crossings, residents – especially the elderly, children, and those with mobility issues – are discouraged from using buses due to safety concerns.
2. The need for improved bus shelters
An example was provided for the Bath-bound ‘The Shallows’ bus stop which lacks a shelter and has no signage about bus services, leaving passengers exposed to the elements and standing dangerously close to traffic. SPC explained how this reduces the appeal of bus use, especially in poor weather.
3. Dangerous pavement parking
Pavement parking, especially near the A4 hill opposite the speed camera can create major accessibility issues. These included that wheelchair and mobility scooter users are completely blocked, and that pedestrians are forced into the road, creating serious safety risks. Suggestions included extending existing fencing or installing barriers to prevent vehicles from parking on pavements.
4. No direct rail access from Saltford
Saltford currently has no train station, meaning residents need to travel to Keynsham or Bath to reach a railway station. SPC highlighted strong local support for reopening Saltford railway station, and requested early community engagement to ensure any proposals are supported and meet local needs.
5. Improved safety for shared cycle/footpath
SPC flagged that the shared path between Saltford and Keynsham alongside the A4 lacks clear separation between pedestrians and cyclists. Suggested improvements made by SPC included: A painted central dividing line, pavement signage; and clearer markings in narrow sections where full segregation isn’t possible. SPC stated that these changes would encourage safer use – particularly for young people commuting to Wellsway School by bike or on foot.
SPC said in its response to B&NES Council: “SPC would welcome investment into the shared pedestrian path / cycle path that runs parallel to the A4 Bath Road between Saltford and Keynsham. As above, segregation of the shared path for users on foot and on wheels would improve safety and access, and encourage more and improved ‘active travel’ particularly by those who use the shared path to/from Wellsway School”.
6. Need for improved access to the SUSTRANS Bristol to Bath shared path
In SPC’s response to B&NES Council’s ‘Active Travel Masterplan’, it requested improved access for all to the Bristol to Bath Path. B&NES Council to investigate further the roads marked as ‘Quiet Routes’ to the north of the A4 that offer access towards the Bristol and Bath (B2B) Path, to improve safety for the number of cyclists and other users in the area to/from the shared path.
Image above shows proposed routes in Saltford and near by, as taken from the interactive map for B&NES Council’s ‘Active Travel Masterplan’ consultation. See SPC’s article as linked above for more information.
More information is in SPC’s article ‘Proposals for ‘Quiet Routes’ and ‘Quick Routes’ on residential roads – SPC responds to two B&NES Strategic Transport consultations’. This includes links to SPC’s full responses to two B&NES Council strategic consultations to improve walking and cycling (and general ‘Active Travel’) in our area, along with comments on public transport (buses and a re-opened Saltford railway station).
Future updates on how the A4 Curo development on Saltford
Saltford Parish Council welcomed Curo initiating contact to update SPC on the use of its Section 106 obligations to support infrastructure improvements between Saltford and Keynsham.
The overview information provided by Curo was discussed at SPC’s September 2025 meeting, where it was agreed to seek further clarification on the list outlined above, particularly regarding what they mean specifically in (or for) Saltford.
SPC is also aware that there is some public uncertainty about how decisions around these infrastructure measures were made, and which consultations they relate to, and why such significant and disruptive works are taking place to achieve them as part of the Curo development works.
SPC has therefore requested further information from both Curo and B&NES Council, including which public consultations informed these plans. Given similarities with SPC’s own contributions to WECA and B&NES transport consultations, it would be positive to know how both the Parish Council and residents’ engagement with public consultations may have influenced these outcomes.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
SPC and public consultations
SPC thanks all residents who share their views ahead of the Parish Council’s responses to public consultations. The consultation responses referred to above (WECA’s Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan in 2020, and B&NES Council’s two strategic travel consultations in September 2024) were both resolved at SPC’s full council meetings, where residents were welcome to address the Council prior to it resolving its view.
Consultations from B&NES Council and WECA are usually included on SPC meeting agendas, provided the consultation periods align with scheduled meeting dates. SPC also looks to share information on its website about consultations we think residents may be interested in responding to (these are often the same as the ones listed on SPC’s agendas). Please keep an eye out under ‘News’ on our website, and follow us on social media.
Please view our ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes’ page for more information. This page also displays SPC’s ‘Public Engagement Guidelines’, should you wish to address the Council on any item on the agenda listed as ‘to resolve’.