An eight-week consultation on plans to improve the A4 corridor in and around Keynsham opens today (Tuesday, July 28) – with proposals including new walking, wheeling and cycling routes, and new bus stops on the Keynsham bypass to improve connectivity and providealternative transport options.
The scheme forms one part of a wider project to improve and encourage sustainable travel between Bath and Bristol. It is being led by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, in partnership with Bristol City Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Following feedback from residents and businesses, and engagement with local councillors and bus operators, this updated version of the scheme proposes a new active travel pathway along the Keynsham bypass and allows for the extension of the X39 bus route intoKeynsham. Previous proposals from 2023 for bus lanes along the bypass have been dropped, after Mayor Helen Godwin was elected.
The proposals in the consultation launched today are for the Keynsham section of the wider A4 Bath to Bristol project which formed part of the last consultation in late 2025.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Anyone who travels along the A4 knows how busy and congested it can be. As our region continues to grow, we need transport infrastructure that keeps pace and gives people more choices for how we travel.
“Over the last eighteen months, I have been listening to residents in Keynsham and Saltford – and hope that people can see that the revised plans, like retaining the K1 bus alongside the new K2 bus, reflect their feedback.
“These proposed upgrades should now make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, and use public transport, while helping to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability for everyone.
“I encourage everyone who lives in or travels to this part of the West Country to take part in this consultation and help shape our investment in the area for years to come.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Bath & North East Somerset Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset said:
“For many years, the X39 has passed Keynsham without stopping. These proposals would change that, giving residents access to a fast and frequent service with up to four buses an hour to Bath and Bristol, alongside better walking, wheeling and cycling connections.
“Whether you live in Keynsham or regularly travel between Bath and Bristol, I encourage you to take part in the consultation and share your views.”
The full proposals for the Keynsham area can be found online,and include:
- Two new bus stops on the Keynsham Bypass, one in each direction, and a staggered signalised crossing between them for easy and safe access from Keynsham via Memorial Park and Gaston Avenue.
- These new bus stops would need only a short section (around 200 metres) of bus lane to support buses safely moving in and out of traffic, the majority of the bypass would retain the same number of lanes.
- A new 2.1 mile (3.45 km) active travel path along the full length of the southern side of the bypass, safely segregated from the A4.
- A reduction in the speed limit on the bypass from 70 mph to 40 mph to ensure that the shared use path has a sufficient buffer to be safely segregated from traffic. The speed limit would be enforced by average speed cameras at either end of the bypass.
- A reduction in the speed limit on Hicks Gate roundabout, from 40 mph to 30 mph.
- Widening the path along Station Road to be shared use and improving crossings at Pool Barton and Priory Road.
- Improving the Keynsham High Street roundabout to increase safety for all users including creating new zebra crossings on all ‘arms’ of the roundabout.
- Changes to thirteen existing bus stops in and around Keynsham (listed below). Twelve bus stops would be upgraded, and one bus stop (Keynsham Church Stop B) may need to be removed or relocated to provide space for the roundabout improvements. There is a specificconsultation question about this bus stop.
Further information:
Currently, more than 62% of commuters between Bath and Bristol choose to drive.
The wider A4 Bath to Bristol project proposes to upgrade more than 100 bus stops, deliver 5.5 miles of new and improved walking and cycling routes, improved pedestrian crossings and investment to support faster and more reliable public transport.
The bus stops that would be upgraded as part of the Keynsham proposals are:
- Two on Durley Hill (Keynsham Cemetery stops, eastbound and westbound)
- Two on Bristol Road (Rugby Club stops, eastbound and westbound)
- Two on Bath Road (Unity Road stops, eastbound and westbound)
- Two on Bath Hill (The Talbot, eastbound and Wellsway, northbound)
- Two on High Street (Keynsham Church stops A and C, eastbound and westbound)
- Keynsham Station Stops A and C
