RESIDENTS say a 16-week road closure at a busy Frampton Cotterell junction will make it harder than ever to get in and out of the village.
South Gloucestershire Council closed the entrance and exit to Beesmoor Road at the junction with Badminton Road from Monday for the best part of four months, as it continues work on a long-term ‘Active Travel’ project to improve cycle, pedestrian and bus provision between Yate and the ring road.
The junction will have a new crossing for the segregated paths alongside the A432 after the work is finished.
A council spokesperson said: “For the duration of the works, Beesmoor Road will be temporarily closed at its junction with the A432 Badminton Road.
“A signed diversion route will be in place via Woodend Road, Park Lane, Bridge Way, Church Road and Badminton Road, and vice versa.
“To maintain access to The Manor C of E Primary School, three-way temporary traffic lights will operate at the A432 Badminton Road/Roundways junction.
“The majority of construction activities will take place during the daytime, although some overnight work may be required at times.
“We will, however, work to minimise disruption as far as possible and thank residents for their patience while these essential improvements are delivered.”
The council says the work will “deliver safer, clearer and more accessible transport routes for local residents and all road users”.
‘Unsafe’ to access village
However some residents have expressed concerns that some drivers won’t stick to the diversion and will seek rat-runs through smaller residential roads and lanes.
Others say it is simply becoming more difficult to travel anywhere from the village.
One wrote on social media: “We do not need a cycle lane. We need to be able to get in and out of our village.”
Another said: “It’s become unsafe for emergency services to now access our village.”
A third resident said it was getting “harder and harder to move around the village anywhere” and raised concerns over businesses on Beesmoor Road, adding: “We do need to become more greener, more cycle lanes, and getting more cars off the road, but it just feels like a very long, drawn-out process.
“I think it would have been good for all residents affected to have a leaflet explaining the alternative routes.
“If this work had been done over school summer holidays, this would have meant less impact for those getting to the Manor School, Winterbourne and Yate.”
Official diversion route
For more details visit the council’s website.
Top picture: Cars turning from Beesmoor Road onto Badminton Road berfore the closure.