Plans to build a new Aldi supermarket in Keynsham have sparked concerns about potential traffic disruption on the heavily trafficked A4 road. While the budget retailer’s proposal has garnered considerable local support, worries remain about the impact on traffic flow.
The planned store is set to open on Keynsham’s east side, with vehicle access designed to enter directly from the A4. However, the only exit from the site will be onto World’s End Lane, facing the Keynsham Recycling Centre. This layout has raised red flags among local officials and residents.
Keynsham East councillor Andy Wait expressed support for the development, noting its benefits to the town’s retail landscape. Nonetheless, he stressed caution regarding traffic management: “The community will welcome the new store, but traffic flow around the site must be carefully addressed.”
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Complicating matters, World’s End Lane is designated as a right-turn-only onto Pixash Lane—but this restriction is frequently ignored, intensifying traffic concerns. Councillor Wait emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to prevent left turns, which could cause congestion on the A4.
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s highways department recommended Aldi revise the plans to remove the A4 entry point, suggesting access should be solely via World’s End Lane. Officers noted the corridor’s importance, highlighting heavy school child commuter traffic and regular peak-hour congestion.
Local objections include concerns about inefficient traffic routing, with resident Helen Mulholland pointing out that the current road restrictions might force vehicles back onto the A4 regardless. Despite this, opposition has been limited—only 14 formal objections compared to 186 supportive comments on the council’s planning portal.
Supporters highlight the benefits of the new Aldi store. Keith Strover remarked it would relieve pressure on the nearby Tesco, where parking is often difficult during peak times. Pensioner Marjorie Phillips welcomed the arrival of an affordable supermarket closer to home, citing the inconvenience of traveling to Longwell Green for Aldi shopping.
Some skepticism exists about the volume of supporting comments, with objection from Mr. C McVie, who questioned their authenticity due to similarity in submitted letters.
The planning application, submitted in July last year, will be decided by the council by December 15. Aldi emphasizes the project’s community benefits, including increased consumer choice, creation of full-time jobs, and construction employment opportunities.
This new supermarket forms part of a broader eastward expansion of Keynsham, with housing association Curo concurrently developing over 200 new homes nearby. How traffic issues are managed could set an important precedent for future development in the area.