Aerial images show work being commenced to build a bypass near Banwell (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
The costs of the Banwell Bypass in North Somerset have increased by £14m after the project has faced delays for almost a century – but locals say it will make a “huge difference”
Banwell has long been plagued by severe traffic congestion, rendering it a ‘no go’ area for more than a century.
The idea of constructing a bypass to alleviate the village’s traffic woes was first mooted in 1927.
Fast forward to 2023, the project finally received the green light with an initial budget of £56m, courtesy of government agency Homes England.
However, following a series of delays, it has now been revealed that an additional £14M is earmarked for the bypass construction, pushing the total cost up to £105.14M.
Banwell locals say the bypass project has been in the works for 100 years (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
North Somerset Council has managed to secure an extra £9.7m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant, provided by Homes England, to keep the Banwell bypass project on track.
With an added contribution of £4.8m from North Somerset Council, the project is now fully financed and ready to move into the main construction phase.
At the Full Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, councillors will be asked to approve the increased funding and give the go-ahead for the second stage of the bypass construction contract with Galliford Try.
Despite the financial adjustments, the council maintains that this is the final decision required before major construction work can commence.
Traffic in Banwell (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, expressed gratitude towards Homes England for “providing the funding boost we need to continue the work already under way to build the bypass”.
“Not only does the scheme form an important part of our ambition to deliver £450m of capital investment into local infrastructure, but it also supports further economic growth for our area and helps us to deliver on our Local Plan ambitions.”
Aerial view of Banwell (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Cllr Bell highlighted that the bypass is expected to alleviate traffic in the village and enhance connectivity between Weston-super-Mare and the A38 “whilst also providing walking, cycling and horse-riding routes to help promote sustainable travel.”
He continued: “This bypass has been almost a century in the making and – together – we have overcome twists, turns and other bumps in road, pulling out all the stops as we arrive ever closer to making the scheme a reality.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has put in the work and shown their support so far. We now look forward to starting main construction ready for the bypass to open in early 2027.”
Traffic in Banwell (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Long-time Banwell residents expressed disbelief at the progress, with some revealing their ancestors were involved in the initial proposals dating back to 1927.
Local historian Roy Rice, 79, a lifelong resident of the village, shared: “My uncle, Wally Richards, when he was 11, helped the survey and put the pegs in of the original bypass plan.
“It was a different variation in 1927. It will be 99 years since then when it finally opens. He is no longer with us but I am sure he would be very surprised we are still talking about it nearly 100 years later.
“It will make a huge difference to the village and we will certainly have a big party when the bypass opens. We are fully aware it is not being built for us, but it cannot be a bad thing for Banwell.
Research indicates that the new route could slash traffic in the village by an eye-opening 78 percent.
Roy Rice (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Mr Rice commented on the development’s history: “There has been three or four different routes proposed over the years. The original route was a lot closer to the village.
“What we have going ahead is the lesser of two evils.
“Banwell has lost a lot of shops as you cannot stop there, maybe around 30-40 shops in the centre.
“There was a lot of industry and a lot of businesses, a brewery, mill, blacksmith. It was once a thriving area. As they shut, no one wants to take them on.”
Optimism remains high as he envisages a revival for the heart of the village: “Hopefully the bypass will bring life back to the centre of the village.
“We are not under the illusion that it will fix everything, but it will make it a much better place to live, work and walk in.”
Roy Rice (left) and Wally Rice. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Wally Rice, an 85 year old former councillor who has spent his lifetime in Banwell, expressed his astonishment at the project’s progression: “I am surprised that this has happened in my lifetime.”
He recalled the long history of discussions regarding the bypass: “I remember first started discussing it when I was a schoolboy, about 17. I was also a councillor and it was touched on regularly. People talked about it, but those running the council did not really want it at the time.”‘
Wally Rice (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Rice highlighted the extensive deliberation over decades with doubts about its feasibility: “There has been 30/40 years of meetings about it and it never seemed like a viable option.
“A lot of people did not want the houses that would go with a bypass. I hope it will make the difference.
“”It is not a perfect solution but is a damn sight better than what we have at the moment. “.
Anticipation is high for the new bypass set to open in early 2027.