Work on the refurbishment of Keynsham Leisure Centre has started, and residents are being advised about the installation of a temporary bridge over the River Chew, to give contractors better access to the construction site and minimise disruption.

A Bailey bridge was installed on Sunday, 3rd June to ease additional construction traffic from using the High Street, during the multi-million pound improvement work.

Bath & North East Somerset Council, together with the leisure centre’s operators GLL, are investing in the centre, which when completed will feature a new teaching pool and refurbished main pool, improved changing areas, refurbished studio spaces, refurbished squash courts and sports hall, a new soft play and café area and an enhanced fitness suite.

Councillor Mark Shelford (Conservative, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We want to reassure drivers that we are working to minimise any disruption and we are taking into account traders’, residents’ and visitors’ needs while this work is being carried out.

“Bailey bridges are portable, pre-fabricated truss bridges which were developed by the British during the Second World War for military use. The bridge is being used here to give construction vehicles access to the lower park level of the site and avoid them adding to traffic on the High Street.”

Motorists are being advised that the Taylor Wimpey works in Station Road, as part of the Somerdale housing development, are on track to be completed at the start of June and the £2 million improvement to Keynsham bypass, which is being carried out mostly overnight, is on track to be completed by the end of July.

Bath & North East Somerset Council, together with the leisure centre’s operators GLL, have appointed Kier Construction as the contractor. Kier has set up site offices in the old fire station by the site and will be erecting perimeter hoarding and scaffolding around the site in the coming weeks.

Cllr Bob Goodman (Conservative, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods, added: “Based on feedback from the public we are investing in Keynsham Leisure Centre, making it fit for the future. At the moment the building is ageing and is in need of modernisation and this refurbishment will mean enhanced facilities which everyone can enjoy. We are working with Kier and GLL to minimise any disruption the construction work might cause and we ask for people’s patience while the work is being carried out.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council is working closely with Sport England on the redevelopment of Keynsham Leisure Centre to ensure the project meets with its national aims of providing accessible leisure facilities that encourage people to live active lives. Activities will be affordable and include concessionary pricing/memberships for those on benefits, students, people with disabilities and over 60s, so that price does not become a barrier to participation.

It is expected that work on the centre will be completed by the end of 2019. The leisure centre will remain operational throughout, with phased closures of specific areas as the work programme requires.