Keynsham’s Temple Street improvement project to start in January

Works to improve Temple Street in Keynsham with new paving, planting, cycle parking and better disabled parking will begin in the New Year.

Following a consultation led by Bath & North East Somerset Council, public feedback has informed changes to the original design which now retain more car parking spaces whilst also providing more greening and cycle parking.

From week beginning 9 January, the site will begin to be set up and materials delivered. New pavements made of natural stone will start to be laid on the west side of the street, as well as upgraded lighting and drainage, increasing the pavement width and improved disabled parking bays to meet modern standards.

New planters and parklets will also be installed to increase greenery on the Riverside development side of the street, along with new seating and cycle parking as part of the scheme.

The changes to car parking consists of two large bays being altered on the east side of the street to introduce additional seating and greening. These are being installed on a trial basis before the council decides whether to seek further funding to make the changes permanent.

In addition, on the west side of the street approximately 8.4m of parking will be altered to extend the size of disabled car parking bays, making them compliant with modern standards, and for preparation works to be carried out for a new pedestrian crossing to be installed as part of a future phase.

Works are being carried out in phases to minimise disruption to residents and businesses and will be carried out by the council’s highways contractor Volker. Works are dependent on weather conditions but are currently expected to be completed in May 2023.

The Temple Street Improvement Project is part of Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme (HS HAZ) a heritage-led renewal programme that aims to continue to make Keynsham High Street a more vibrant place for residents, businesses and visitors.

The project is funded by Historic England with match funding from Bath & North East Somerset Council and Keynsham Town Council.

Councillor Mark Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Growth, said: “I’m pleased that we will shortly be beginning this important scheme to improve the whole environment of Temple Street for everyone who visits, works at or lives in the area. We are grateful to the many people who took the time to respond to our consultation last year. We have listened to the feedback and acted on it to change the final design, which means keeping more car parking spaces and providing more greenery. We apologise for any disruption during the works and we are working with our contractor to keep this to a minimum.”

To support local businesses in Keynsham, in early 2023 a new Keynsham Town Centre Business Directory will be launched alongside a marketing campaign to promote the Town Centre. This project is also supported by the High Street Heritage Action Zone Partnership made up of Keynsham Town Council, B&NES Council and Historic England.

Councillor Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, said: “The steering group for the Temple Street improvements have listened very carefully to all who have taken part in the consultation around this work.  It is an impossible task to satisfy all requirements. We have had many serious discussions and are confident that we are close as we can be to the best compromise.  I believe that most people will enjoy the extra facilities and freedoms the new space will offer and look forward to seeing the plan reach fruition.”

Rebecca Barrett, Regional Director at Historic England, said: “We’re delighted that the improvements to Temple Street will be starting in January, delivering positive changes we know local people are keen to see. Well done to all involved in reaching this major milestone in the Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone.”

Click here for more information on the improvement.  

Anyone with questions or comments about Keynsham HSHAZ can email KeynshamHSHAZ@Bathnes.gov.uk or write to Keynsham HSHAZ Project Team at the Keynsham Town Council Office, 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1HA.