Roundabout revamp complete at Hicks Gate

A major scheme to help reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety at a busy junction in Keynsham is now complete. The 875,000 bus passengers using the X39 every year will be just some of the people who benefit. The improvements at Hicks Gate roundabout, Keynsham are part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s £60 million joined-up plan to help traffic congestion across the area.    

Councillor Charles, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, commented: “These improvements were needed at Hicks Gate. Keynsham residents have been calling for them for many years. Bath and North East Somerset Council believes both road users and commuters using public transport will experience improvements in traffic safety and journey times at this congestion hot spot. Another part of the Council’s plan to help cut traffic congestion is complete.”

Traffic signal controls will improve traffic flow by adjusting light sequences according to queues. Timings will also be co-ordinated with lights on the A4 at Brislington. Reduced speed limits and anti-skid surfacing on the approaches to the roundabout will improve safety. There will be fourteen lanes for traffic around the roundabout instead of the existing ten. Before work started 38 accidents had been reported at the roundabout in the past five years, resulting in 45 minor injuries - however, in addition many are likely to be unreported.

An additional length of bus lane from the Keynsham bypass connecting with the existing Brislington Park and Ride bus lane will help improve bus reliability, especially on the popular X39 service.

Public transport operator First Avon and Somerset is supportive of the completed scheme. Justin Davies, Managing Director, said: “The measures in the Greater Bristol Bus Network, including this work at Hicks Gate, will help First deliver a better service for bus passengers. The investment will help bus operators and local councils improve passenger convenience and timetable reliability.”

Other bus service operators are also supportive. Alan Peters, proprietor of A-Bus, said: "Any initiative which benefits our passengers getting to their destination on time and makes their journey more convenient and reliable is welcome. I look forward to further improvements on the Greater Bristol Bus Network that will benefit our passengers."

Campaign for Better Transport Spokesperson Jenny Raggett added: “Campaign for Better Transport are delighted that the Hicks Gate roundabout is completed. Bath passengers will now find their journeys are faster and more reliable. The improvement is part of the wider Bristol and Bath bus network, an essential part of modern transport plans for the whole area. With public transport becoming more attractive and more people using it, this will also help benefit air quality.”

It is one of three routes being improved by Bath and North East Somerset Council using ring-fenced Government money as part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network. Residents can find out more about the routes and even follow them on a state-of-the-art map – www.bathnes.gov.uk/stopgridlock - from start to finish.

Once finally complete routes will have:

On some routes there will be.

• New bus lanes;
• New and enhanced traffic signals to give bus services priority.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT BATH NEWS AND MEDIA GROUP