Residents of Peasedown St John, a peaceful village near Bath, continue to grapple with traffic issues at a notorious junction on the A367. Steve Band, 53, who has lived in Peasedown since around 2000, describes the junction at Bath Road as a “nightmare” and often chooses longer routes to avoid the area due to heavy traffic congestion.
The junction has been a source of concern for almost twenty years, with local campaigners advocating for the installation of a roundabout to reduce vehicle speeds and prevent accidents. Plans for such a roundabout were announced by Bath and North East Somerset Council in 2023, raising hopes among villagers for a safer crossing.
However, the project has recently been shelved owing to high costs. Instead, the council is implementing more affordable interventions, including the introduction of high-friction road surfacing, improved crossing facilities, carriageway narrowing, and a reduction of the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph.
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Reverend David Winstanley expressed scepticism about the speed limit reduction, suggesting that the issue lies more with drivers not adhering to the existing limits than with the limits themselves. “If you’re doing 50mph, I think there’s time to see you and there’s time to see anything else,” he said.
Conversely, Carol Walker, 75, feels optimistic about the changes. She frequently encounters drivers accelerating aggressively near the junction, adding to the concerns about safety.
Given Peasedown’s semi-rural character and population of approximately 6,500, many residents rely on this junction to reach neighbouring towns such as Radstock, Midsomer Norton, and Frome, where they work or shop, as there are limited large supermarkets in the village itself.
While some, like Steve, drive around the junction to avoid delays, others have little choice but to navigate it daily, making safety improvements vital.
At a council cabinet meeting on 10 September, Councillor Lucy Hodge explained that initial assessments indicated that a roundabout would not sufficiently enhance bus priority and would be prohibitively expensive compared to other options. She emphasised that the council remains open to implementing a roundabout in the future if circumstances change.
A Liberal Democrat representative reaffirmed their commitment to evidence-based decisions, highlighting that the proposed package of improvements aims to enhance safety and provide good value for money.
The community awaits the impact of these measures, hoping they will alleviate some of the longstanding difficulties associated with this critical junction.