The leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council is asking people to sign a petition against the proposed 24-hour bus lanes on the A4 Keynsham Bypass.
Keynsham Bypass, where the bus lanes are set to be implemented
Residents in Saltford have received letters from Councillor Kevin Guy about the bus lanes proposed for the A4 by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), run by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.
Despite opposition to the bus lanes in a public consultation held in 2023, WECA is pressing ahead with the controversial plans for 24/7 bus lanes on the bypass.
The letter from Councillor Guy (Bathavon North, Liberal Democrat), says: “We have to stop plans to put 24/7 bus lanes on the Keynsham Bypass.
“Labour’s Metro Mayor is proposing 24/7 bus lanes on the A4, reducing the current four-lane dual carriageway to just two lanes, one in each direction.
“I’ve heard from many of you that you’re concerned about how this could lead to traffic building up through the village on an already busy route.
“That’s why, with your local Liberal Democrat councillors, we’ve launched a petition to urge the Metro Mayor to take a more common-sense approach.
“Our proposal is to allow local residents to use the bus lanes during non-peak hours, a practical solution that’s already working well in other areas.”
Councillor Guy urges residents to share the petition with friends and family, adding: “With your support, we can convince Labour’s Metro Mayor to rethink these plans.”
Last year, when the plans for the A4 were first revealed, an online petition was started on the change.org website by Independent Saltford parish councillor Chris Warren, urging WECA to “reconsider the proposed “radical changes to the A4 Bath Road which would have disastrous consequences for our community, causing immense traffic delays and adding to pollution levels”.
That petition was signed by more than 1,600 people.
