THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
9th November 2022
Issue 755
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‘Are you trying to kill Keynsham?’ There has been a furious response to Bath & North East
Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS
Somerset Council’s proposed “big improvements” for
HAZ) programme which aim to make the Temple
Temple Street in Keynsham.
Street area more “vibrant”. The project is led by
Last week we reported on the works coming up as part of the
B&NES Council’s Renewal Team, funded by Historic England, with match funding from the council and Keynsham Town Council. But this week Chris Oliver, who runs Keynsham Hardware, said that the team behind the scheme “do not know or care how Temple Street works” and he branded the consultation that was held as “a sham”. He said: “The 'Kill Keynsham Completely' campaign continues in November with planters, cycle parking and seating on the Riverside side of Temple Street. Then, in January the 'hard Chris Oliver
landscaping' on the other side of the street begins. They say ‘access to businesses will be retained’. It
Temple Street
may be maintained during the works, which I doubt, but despite
18 months ago after successful lobbying of local councillors.
many businesses telling HS HAZ not to take the parking away,
He said the move had kept his business going.
that is exactly what they are going to do.
He said that those affected by the proposed removal of parking
“The reduction will be from 20-odd spaces to eight, plus the
spaces would be customers, especially those with limited
two existing disabled bays, exactly what they proposed before
mobility, visiting local shops and businesses, including
the 'consultation'. They have not listened to us or amended their
tradespeople quickly running into his shop for the job they are
plans significantly at all. They are going to put planters in
on. Also hit will be carriers and lorries trying to make deliveries
between the parking spaces, just like the disabled access group
to Temple Street as the loading bay is going to be outside St
advised them not to do on the High Street.
Keyna Court; and taxi firms picking up “old and vulnerable”
“They are going to 'support' Keynsham town centre with a
residents at the Riverside block.
‘shop local’ campaign whilst taking away facilities that
Mr Oliver said he had discussed the plans with nearly every
encourage people to shop here.”
one of his customers: “They include cyclists, pedestrians and
Mr Oliver managed to get more parking in Temple Street just
people who parked outside. No one was in favour.” In a message aimed at B&NES Council, he said: “You would
Continued on page 2
Also in this week’s issue
Fight to save Stockwood’s post office . . . page 2
Setback for campaigners fighting River Avon sewage pollution . . . page 5
Urgent protection for trees on land in Warmley prior to auction . . . page 6
Wellsway School in Keynsham mourns founding teacher . . . page 8