THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
29th June 2022
Issue 736
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15 proposed changes to improve Keynsham High Street safety A road safety audit carried out in Keynsham High Street,
regulate the industries involved in both highway design and
where there have been dozens of reports of people
construction, including the new cycle infrastructure design
tripping and falling as a result of the new layout, is
guidance. The audit was carried out by consultants Jacobs
recommending 15 changes – including making the
for B&NES Council following completion of construction
contraflow cycle lane red, better signs and replacing
works, who considered data from the number of reported
“incorrect” paving.
incidents. Here are the recommendations:
It does not include the removal of the controversial stepped
• Installing additional physical measures to prevent parking
kerb between the cycle lane and the road.
on the eastern pavement and ensure the clearway is enforced.
The “enhancements” to the High Street, which led to months
• Improving drainage at the rear access at 69 High Street as
of disruption, included footpath widening and resurfacing,
ponding water could result in vehicles skidding and
improved cycling and bus stop facilities, new street furniture,
pedestrians slipping.
trees and planting, and new signage on the High Street
• Swapping the gully covers in the parking bays to new
between Bath Hill and Charlton Road.
covers with smaller slots as there is potential that heels,
But since the redesigned High Street reopened to traffic in
walking aids, pram wheels or wheelchair wheels could be
March, there have been numerous reports to Bath & North
trapped, resulting in trips and falls.
East Somerset Council of people sustaining injuries including
• At the uncontrolled Bath Hill pedestrian crossing, the
broken bones, sprains, cuts and bruises.
“incorrect and lifting tactile paving could cause confusion
The council has previously maintained that the scheme
and result in trips or falls”. The recommendation is that it is
complied with the legislation, specification and guidance that
changed from red to buff and that the lifting tactiles in the central refuge are replaced. • The zebra crossing on the High Street has “incorrect” tactile paving arrangements that do not guide users to the beacon. In addition, the tactile arrangement on the west side has a number of utility covers which could result in partiallysighted users missing the crossing point or being unclear about whether it is controlled or not, increasing the potential for collision with cyclists and vehicles. The recommendation is that new tactiles are installed as per Department of the Continued on page 3 ‘Look Right’ markings are missing at the crossing point
Also in this week’s issue
More vandalism around Keynsham . . . page 4
Kingswood school locked down . . . page 5
Downend accident blackspot to be made safer . . . page 7
Keynsham Music Festival is here . . . pages 12 & 13