The cost of the long-awaited Banwell bypass, a century-old project to combat severe congestion in the North Somerset village, has surged beyond £100 million. Initially proposed in 1927, the project obtained approval in 2023 with an estimated cost of £66 million, but delays have led to an additional £14 million in expenses, bringing the total to £105.14 million.
The North Somerset Council has secured a further £9.7 million of Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant funding from Homes England to advance the construction. With an additional £4.8 million to be contributed by the council, the project is fully funded and set to progress to the main construction phase.
At the upcoming Full Council meeting on April 1, councillors will deliberate on the increased funding and issue a Notice to Proceed with the second stage of the construction contract with Galliford Try. The council has emphasized that this decision is pivotal before commencing the main construction works.
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Leader of North Somerset Council, Mike Bell, highlighted the significance of the Homes England funding boost, affirming that the scheme aligns with the council’s goal of investing £450 million in local infrastructure and fostering economic growth as per the Local Plan.
The bypass aims to alleviate congestion, enhance connectivity between Weston-super-Mare and the A38, and promote sustainable travel by providing walking, cycling, and horse-riding routes. Cllr Bell expressed gratitude to all involved, emphasizing the collective effort in overcoming obstacles to bring the long-awaited scheme to fruition by early 2027.
The village’s lifelong residents are astounded at the prospect of witnessing the bypass’s completion, with some recalling familial involvement in the original proposals from 1927. Local historian Roy Rice, 79, expressed amazement at the 99-year journey and eagerly anticipates the benefits the bypass will bring to Banwell.
Studies indicate that the proposed bypass could potentially reduce traffic through the village by up to 78 percent, offering a glimpse of hope for the restoration of Banwell’s prosperity. Wally Rice, 85, a former councillor and lifetime resident, reflects on the decades of discussions and expresses optimism about the positive impact that the bypass, despite its imperfections, will have on the community.
With hopes for the bypass to open in early 2027, Banwell residents and stakeholders eagerly await the culmination of a project that has spanned generations.