Plans to construct a new roundabout at a notorious accident hotspot on the southern end of Peasedown St John, near Bath, have been abandoned by Bath and North East Somerset Council due to concerns over the high costs involved.
The proposed roundabout had been the focus of local residents' efforts for more than 20 years, with hopes raised following a public announcement of the project in 2023. The plan was initially approved and funded through a Sustainable Transport Settlement from the government, with £16.5 million distributed to various initiatives across the West of England region.
However, the Liberal Democrat-led council has now decided to replace the roundabout with a series of alternative road safety improvements, including lowering the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph, narrowing carriageways, introducing high-friction surfacing, and enhancing pedestrian crossing facilities. These measures are intended to reduce vehicle speeds, improve safety for all road users, and support more efficient bus movement along the corridor.
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Independent councillor Karen Walker voiced strong disapproval, describing the decision as “absolutely outrageous.” She highlighted that the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) had allocated funds four years ago to several major transport projects, including this roundabout, which was subsequently passed to Bath and North East Somerset Council for delivery. According to Cllr Walker, the council initially welcomed the scheme but later halted it without adequate justification.
At a recent cabinet meeting on 10 September, Councillor Liam Kirby questioned the cancellation, emphasising the junction’s poor visibility on a fast road and the pressing need for the roundabout. Councillor Lucy Hodge responded by explaining that detailed assessments and modelling revealed the roundabout would not provide the anticipated level of bus priority and would be significantly more expensive than other potential measures.
She added that the alternatives proposed are viewed as better value for money and do not prevent revisiting the option of a roundabout in the future, should transport needs, funding, or supporting evidence change.
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats stated: “We are committed to evidence-based decisions. Detailed assessment has informed the choice of a package of improvements that will enhance safety and offer good value for money at this junction.”