LOCAL councillors in Peasedown St John have raised concerns after Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council decided not to proceed with plans for a roundabout at the village’s southern junction.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has decided not to proceed with plans for a roundabout at the junction between the A367 bypass and Bath Road, despite proposals being displayed in 2024 indicating that one would be built.

Not only that, but the government provided funding for the project to go ahead in 2022 as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement Fund – or better known as the ‘Levelling Up’ Fund. A total of £16.5-million had been allocated to projects across the West of England, with a proportion being spent in Peasedown St John.

The decision to pull the plug on the Peasedown roundabout, especially after a 20 year wait, has come under fierce criticism from the village’s Independent councillors, Karen Walker and Gavin Heathcote.

In a statement they said: “We are absolutely outraged! The government allocated funding to WECA, the West of England Combined Authority, four years ago for several high-level transport projects to go ahead.

“WECA agreed that a roundabout, to improve road safety at this accident hotspot, would be built and the public announcement was made in 2023. The regional authority then passed the project over to B&NES Council, who initially welcomed the plans – but have since pulled the plug.”

As well as improving road safety, a roundabout will reduce the delays currently being experienced at this junction for buses and public transport more generally. Travellers catching a bus from Peasedown St John to Radstock or Midsomer Norton are currently experiencing delays to their journey because buses have to wait so long to exit the junction.

Community leaders, councillors and residents have been campaigning in Peasedown St John for a roundabout to be erected at this notoriously dangerous junction for over 20 years, with the first public meeting calling for one to be built held in 2005.

Cllr Walker and Cllr Heathcote said: “Lib Dem run-B&NES Council has developed a reputation for wasting millions of pounds on projects that people don’t actually want, but when it comes to funding initiatives that residents are crying out for, they fail miserably. As a community, we’re feeling angry and let down.”

Cllr Walker and Cllr Heathcote have written to WECA and the Secretary of State for Transport with their concerns over the way B&NES Council has dealt with the project, despite funding originally being allocated for it.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has been contacted for comment regarding the situation and to respond to the concerns raised about the decision.

Residents who wish to have their views heard on local issues, including the roundabout plans, can attend the monthly Street Surgery hosted by their councillors. These sessions provide an opportunity to raise concerns directly, ask questions, and provide input on ongoing or future projects affecting the community.