THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 808
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22nd November 2023
Read by more than 40,000 people each week
Plan to pedestrianise Keynsham High Street back on the agenda Keynsham High Street, where the differing kerb heights
Somerset Council have been campaigning to get the layout
of the contraflow cycle lane have led to around 100
changed.
pedestrians injuring themselves, could be pedestrianised
One of them, Lib Dem councillor Hal MacFie, told this
– and bicycles banned.
month’s cabinet meeting that following a meeting between
A consultation is planned for the next financial year – and in
the councillors, council leader Kevin Guy and some cabinet
the meantime Bath & North East Somerset Council will
members, it had been agreed to apply “more visual cues” that
introduce more “visual cues” to alert people to the hazards
would warn people of an impending change in ground level.
of the cycle lane which opened in March 2022.
The paint will be applied in January.
People have continued to fall despite signs that were put up
Cllr MacFie said: “It was also agreed that the best way out
support for pedestrianisation against 15% for a one-way
last year advising about the new layout and the lane itself
of the current impasse was to pedestrianise the High Street
system. Then seven years ago, when under Conservative
being painted red. Injuries have included fractured bones,
with the ward councillors pushing to make it a cycle-free
control, the council said it wanted to see how a proposed one-
head and facial injuries, lost teeth and significant bruising.
area. This could only happen if there was a positive attitude
way traffic trial in the High Street worked before considering
The cross-party group of six councillors who represent
by shopkeepers and residents.”
the option of pedestrianisation. A traffic order came into
Keynsham on Lib Dem-controlled Bath & North East
He said the first step would be to draw up an outline plan and
effect in spring 2017 for a period of up to 18 months.
present it to the Keynsham population for consultation in the
A survey in early 2018 quizzed around 1,600 residents, as
2024/2025 financial year.
well as local businesses, and fewer than a quarter of
This week his fellow Keynsham councillor, Conservative
respondents wanted the one-way system made permanent,
Alan Hale, who is the council’s member advocate for road
39% wanted the trial halted and a further 30% specified
safety, said he was frustrated that it had taken so long for the
‘improvements’, the most frequently cited of which was
administration to act. He hoped the proposed visual cues
pedestrianisation of the High Street
would be effective and it would not be a case of “stumbling
Although the council’s initial response was that its cabinet
from one quick fix to another”.
would make a final decision, it did not, and the order was
Regarding pedestrianisation, Cllr Hale said any scheme
sealed by a council officer.
would have to prevent cyclists and e-scooters.
During the pandemic the High Street was closed to traffic,
Pedestrianisation has been discussed before. In 2013 The
other than bicycles, for social distancing between 9am and
Week In conducted a readers’ survey which indicated 75%
5pm.
Keynsham High Street in 2020
Also in this week’s issue
More affordable homes planned for Keynsham . . . page 3
Three hurt and one arrest after Hanham crash . . . page 4
Cllr Hal MacFie, left, & Cllr Alex Beaumont, right, collecting signatures for a petition in September
Appeal inspector allows Staple Hill retirement complex . . . page 7
Downend pub redevelopment bid refused . . . page 11