North Somerset Council has abandoned its plan to construct a £2.2 million, 260-metre-long bus lane along the A370 in Backwell, a move welcomed by many local residents who had expressed strong opposition.
The proposed bus lane was part of a wider initiative funded by a government-backed Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant, aiming to enhance bus priority routes in the area. However, the plan faced significant pushback after councillors raised concerns in May that it could waste public funds and potentially slow bus journeys instead of improving them.
While the bus lane project has been scrapped, the council plans to proceed with installing bus priority traffic lights at the busy crossroads in Backwell village centre. Work on these smart lights is expected to start in spring, providing targeted improvements without the disruption of the bus lane.
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Hannah Young, cabinet member for highways and transport, highlighted how recent planning approvals for approximately 800 new homes in Backwell and updates to North Somerset’s Local Plan necessitate a coordinated and phased approach to infrastructure upgrades. “It makes sense to align transport improvements with the wider development plans to best serve the community’s evolving needs,” she said.
Local councillor Bridget Petty expressed understanding for resident worries, emphasizing the need for well-planned change that guarantees value for money and prioritizes pedestrian safety, especially for schoolchildren on roads like Station Road, Dark Lane, and Church Lane.
The initial plan to build the bus lane caused ‘fear and anger’ among residents. Geoff Wells of the Backwell Residents Association said at the May meeting, “Lack of information has created suspicion and a lot of fear and anger in the village.” The bus lane would have shifted the Bristol-bound bus stop and removed pavement guardrails, changes many locals opposed.
Conservative councillor Michael Pryke led the call to halt the scheme, arguing the bus lane would worsen traffic congestion and pollution by causing vehicle idling in queues. He warned it could put lives at risk and damage the village’s existing traffic flow, stating the scheme was an expensive mistake. His motion to review the project was supported by a 6-2 council vote.
Despite dropping the bus lane, the council remains committed to improving bus services and reducing traffic congestion on local roads. Young noted that the bus lane could still be reconsidered within the 15-year Local Plan, alongside ongoing development of the Nailsea & Backwell Transport Strategy.
Backwell Parish Council reinforced their opposition to a bus lane through the village centre but supported the smart traffic lights to give buses priority. They acknowledged Councillor Young for her open communication and decision to reverse the controversial bus lane and the earlier dropped one-way scheme on Dark Lane.
As North Somerset prepares for the addition of 24,000 new homes over the coming years, changing transportation technology and infrastructure will play a vital role in future planning. Meanwhile, Backwell Parish Council looks forward to working with the BSIP team on enhancements like better bus shelters, a new pedestrian crossing, and optimizing the location of the school bus stop.
This development follows a broader pause on North Somerset’s bus lane rollout, as the council assesses public and councillor feedback on the scheme’s challenges and impact.