An “unforeseen issue” during ongoing improvements to Keynsham High Street has meant the road will now remain closed to vehicles 24 hours a day until work has been completed.
Keynsham High Street | Photo © B&NES Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s project began on 1st June, with paving the west side of the street and rearranging the Charlton Road junction making “great progress”.
An issue with the depth available in the pavement on the east side of the street to install drainage as planned means it will now be placed in the carriageway.
Due to this, the High Street will remain closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week while the work is completed.
Works on the drainage will begin in early September, alongside the installation of new street furniture, the relocation of the bus stop and delivery of new paving.
The council said it is anticipating the road will reopen later in the autumn.
Sewer works for the housing development in Rock Road have also been delayed, however the council has said that Rock Road and Ashton Way will not be closed at the same time as the high street.
The local authority says it is working closely with the Rock Road development’s contractors to find an opportunity for the sewer works to be done at a time that minimises the impact on people accessing Keynsham and does not delay the high street programme.
By taking advantage of the extended road closure, foreseeing no further delays, the high street scheme is now expected to be completed in the week beginning 29th November ahead of the Christmas trading period.
Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development & Resources, said: “We will soon reach the three-month milestone of this important improvement project for Keynsham and much progress has been made, however it is often the nature of major construction works that there will be unforeseen issues causing delays and impacting other local projects.
“Nevertheless we do appreciate the frustration and inconvenience this causes for residents and businesses.
“We are working closely with our contractors and the contractors for the Rock Road development to minimise disruption in any way we can.
“Please be reassured that Ashton Way and Rock Road will not be closed while the High Street is closed. We will provide a further update on this as soon as we possibly can.
“Thank you for your continued patience while we find a way forward.”
The High Street scheme is funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth and Getting Building Funds, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
It is also funded by the Combined Authority through its Love our High Streets programme.
