Plans to construct a new roundabout at a notorious accident hotspot in Peasedown St John have been abandoned due to concerns over the high costs involved, despite longstanding community lobbying for improved road safety.
Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) had announced the roundabout project in 2023 following 18 years of persistent campaigning by local residents. The roundabout was intended for the southern end of the village, at the Bath Road junction with the A367 bypass, an area recognised locally as hazardous due to poor visibility and high vehicle speeds.
Originally funded through a Sustainable Transport Settlement from the government and coordinated by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), the £16.5 million regional funding package included money allocated for various transport projects, including this roundabout.
However, the Liberal Democrat-led council has now decided not to proceed with the roundabout scheme. Instead, they propose a series of alternative road improvements aimed at enhancing safety and supporting efficient bus movement. These include lowering the speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph, introducing carriageway narrowing, applying high-friction surfacing, and improving pedestrian crossing facilities.
Independent councillor Karen Walker expressed strong disappointment with the decision, stating: “I’m absolutely outraged! The government allocated funding to WECA four years ago specifically for key transport projects, including this roundabout to improve safety at a recognised accident hotspot. WECA then passed the project to B&NES Council who initially supported it, but have now pulled the plug.”
During a cabinet meeting on 10 September, Cllr Liam Kirby highlighted the dangers at the junction, commenting on its poor visibility on a fast road and the longstanding need for a roundabout. In response, Councillor Lucy Hodge explained that more detailed assessments and modelling revealed the roundabout would not deliver the anticipated benefits for bus priority and would be disproportionately expensive compared to other measures.
She said: “The package of improvements being pursued offers better value for money and aligns with our programme’s aims to reduce vehicle speeds, improve safety for all users, and support more efficient bus movement. However, these changes do not rule out a roundabout in the future if transport needs or funding change. The council remains committed to assessing infrastructure needs along the A367 corridor.”
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson emphasised that decisions were made based on evidence and that the proposed improvements would enhance safety effectively while representing good value for public funds.
Despite the disappointment among villagers, the council maintains its focus on pragmatic and cost-effective ways to make this dangerous junction safer for all road users.