The contentious issue of introducing a bus lane on the Keynsham bypass has led to a tumultuous turn of events, with plans being abruptly shelved after the Labour candidate in the metro mayor election made it clear that she would not push forward with the proposal if elected. This unexpected twist prompted West of England metro mayor Dan Norris to halt the ongoing consultation, effectively shelving the plan and leaving the A4 dual carriageway around Keynsham without a bus lane in the foreseeable future.
The decision and its implementation have sparked ire among council leaders in Keynsham and Bath, with many expressing their astonishment at the announcement. The debate over enhancing the A4 corridor between Bath and Bristol for public transport has long been a point of contention among politicians, with recent suggestions indicating a potential expenditure of up to £89 million by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) on bus and bike lanes along the route.
Last summer, it was determined that the project would be split in two, with bus lanes on the A4 in Bristol considered more feasible than those in Bath. Areas like Saltford in North East Somerset are slated to receive bus lanes, with an additional project aiming to improve bus travel into Bristol via Brislington on the A4 currently in progress, as reported by BristolLive.
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However, the proposal to establish a bus lane on the A4 Keynsham bypass has been the subject of fervent debate. Local councillors had previously described the plans as highly unpopular, and now it appears that the notion of a bus lane on the Keynsham bypass has been discarded before it could even gain traction.
Helen Godwin, the Labour candidate for the West of England Combined Authority metro mayor election on May 1, announced her opposition to the idea, leading Dan Norris to agree to its abandonment. As a result, the fate of the bus lane proposal now rests on the shoulders of the elected candidate on May 1, should they choose to revive the concept.
The abrupt turn of events has triggered a strong reaction from Councillor Sarah Warren, the deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, who also holds responsibility for transport matters. She has demanded answers from Mr. Norris, questioning why the decision was communicated by a mayoral candidate via Facebook rather than being announced by the metro mayor himself at a recent meeting dedicated to discussing the plan.
In a scathing letter to Mr. Norris, Councillor Warren expressed her astonishment and outlined her concerns about the unilateral decision-making process. She also sought reassurances regarding other WECA-funded projects, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the wake of this unexpected policy U-turn.