In March 2023, planning permission was granted for the long-awaited road bypass of Banwell village.
Funded through Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), the bypass will run to the north of Banwell village. It will remove traffic congestion from a pinch point on a key route between the A38 and Weston-super-Mare.
In addition to the new bypass, planning permission includes:
- new routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders - giving residents more choice over how they travel
- placemaking proposals for Banwell - to enhance its historic character and village feel
- measures to reduce environmental impacts of the bypass and its effect on nearby villages
- protection of local habitats for species of otters, badger and bats, including the creation of new ponds, woodland and wetlands to achieve a bio-diversity net gain of over 40%.
The scheme will also deliver infrastructure to enable future housing development, subject to the new Local Plan.
In January 2024, the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) needed to acquire the land to build the bypass. This means we can now start preparing to begin construction.
Withdrawal of Alun Griffiths
In March 2024, Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd told North Somerset Council that they would no longer build the Banwell bypass.
Despite this unexpected challenge, North Somerset Council restarted the environmental enabling works needed to build the bypass in April 2024. Council officers also held positive discussions with a new contracting firm to take on the scheme’s construction.
In July 2024, the Director of Place will make a decision on whether to enter into a new contract with the chosen contracting firm. A paper setting out more information went to Full Council in July 2024.
New contractor appointed
In September 2024, North Somerset Council entered into a new contract to deliver the Banwell bypass with Galliford Try.
The contract with Galliford Try is in two stages. The first stage includes preparatory works and detailed design and the second includes main construction.
North Somerset Council will take a decision on proceeding with the second stage of the contract at Full Council in the autumn.