Bristol’s Southern and Eastern fringes could benefit from the latest traffic improvement measures being examined by the West of England Combined Authority.
The new steering group – with responsibility for improving infrastructure and delivering housing across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and BANES – will commission feasibility studies in to a number of key road packages, park and ride provision and railway station upgrades.
And Bristol commercial property specialists Bruton Knowles believe the planned improvements can’t come soon enough for a transport system struggling to cope.
Head of office Paul Matthews said: “The good news is that the region (sadly excluding North Somerset) will receive a serious shot in the arm from many infrastructure projects already actioned or on the authority’s newly announced To Do list.”
Among schemes to be looked at again will be a link road connecting Avon Mill Lane to the A4 Keynsham bypass, the A4-A37 orbital route including the key Hicks Gate roundabout and improvements to Keynsham Railway Station.
In addition, the study will look at the feasibility of new park and rides on the A4 gateway, the A432 at Yate, the M32, the A4108 and A38 at Almondsbury.
“The feasibility study into these schemes comes on top of a tranche of improvements already actioned including an additional £2.8m to speed up bridge repair works on the Avon Ring Road and a further £2.2m towards a new single-platform rail station next to the park-and-ride at Portway, Bristol on the Severn Beach Line. This is a constructive step to reduce road use and joining up different modes of transport.
“Another £1.8m will help with the much-needed relocation of the coach park in Bath from Bath Quays North to Odd Down Park and Ride”.
Paul Matthews said Bruton Knowles applauded the bold statement of intent.
“While the additional £1.2m is for a feasibility study into the additional schemes it’s clear the West of England Combined Authority is determined to get to grips with immediate problems in order to boost connectivity around our towns and cities and giving businesses and commuters hope of a functioning transport network.
“And although Bath City Council may feel aggrieved at missing out on any specific schemes the preponderance of traffic measures to be considered in the key A4 corridor could eventually speed journey times between the cities and ease the burden on commuter towns such as Keynsham and Saltford.
