BANWELL BYPASS
It seems that after almost 100 years the Banwell Bypass might become a reality.
We will keep you updated with the latest news below. For slightly more detailed information, please refer to the Parish Council agenda papers or minutes each month.
Monthly update
June 2025
The final haul road section between Moor Road and Riverside is underway, with ground improvement works in progress. Piling works will follow. Galliford Try is assessing how best to communicate these impacts to nearby residents and stakeholders. An emergency closure was in place on Wolvershill Road on 11th June. Knightcott traffic lights remain but will move along the road to support works by multiple utility companies. The Clerk met with the new Communications Officer, and the “Meet the Contractor” event is confirmed for 18th June at Banwell Village Hall. Display boards will also be shared at the Youth & Community Centre. Engagement activities will follow the theme “A Hundred Years in the Making,” including work with the local school.
May 2025
Approximately 90% of the haul road is now complete, including the temporary culverting of the River Banwell. The Knightcott traffic lights have been reinstated for about two months for BT chamber works, while the Towerhead lights have been removed. Riverside is now closed and expected to remain shut until mid-July. Galliford Try’s Communications Officer has left the role; a new appointment is expected on 19th May. The postponed “Meet the Contractor” event has been rescheduled to 18th June..
April 2025
North Somerset Council approved Stage Two of the Banwell Bypass, enabling main construction works to begin. Riverside’s closure was delayed but is now scheduled to start on 22nd April for 11 weeks. The Knightcott traffic lights have been removed, while the Towerhead lights will remain for a few more weeks. Traffic lights on Wolvershill Road are under review to ensure they are correctly understood as haul road-related. Galliford Try’s new Communications Officer met with the Clerk, and the Bypass Team gave a short presentation at the Parish Assembly on 28th April. A formal Parish Council update is expected in June.
NSC Update
North Somerset Council has secured an additional £9.7m in government funding to fully finance the Banwell bypass, with a further £4.8m contribution from the council itself hoped. The project can now move into the main construction phase, pending final approval at April’s Full Council meeting.
March 2025
An apology was received regarding the delayed Riverside closure, caused in part by an IT error that overlooked Church Street. Night-time closures of Well Lane (to the industrial estate) and Riverside are expected from 23rd March, pending permits. Galliford Try’s Communications Officer has changed, and a "Meet the Contractor" event is being planned for May. Their Facebook page is currently inactive due to Facebook policy, but they are working to restore it. Utility diversions and haul road construction continue. The decision to move to Stage Two is due at Full Council on 1st April. A Parish Council briefing is scheduled for 14th April..
February 2025
North Somerset Council has agreed to bring forward essential works, including utility diversions and haul road construction, originally planned for Stage Two. The Full Council is expected to decide on progressing to Stage Two on 1st April. A Parish Council briefing will be held on 14th April. NSC is in talks with Homes England to extend funding into early 2027. The works have support from NSC Executive Members and local MPs. Galliford Try’s Banwell Bypass Facebook page is now live: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572307361006, with "Meet the Contractor" events being considered for April or May.
January 2025
The former police station at Towerhead is proposed as a wellbeing house offering mental health support and respite care for up to five residents. A planning application has been submitted for a one-year term, with a possible two-year extension. If successful, CURO may retain the property after the bypass project concludes. Bristol Water is continuing mains diversion works, with no road closures expected for 2–4 weeks. East Street is due to close mid-February. Galliford Try is progressing with temporary compounds and hedge planting. Archaeological investigations continue until Feb/March, with no significant findings. Sam Landrigan has joined as Communications Officer. Galliford Try’s Banwell Bypass Facebook page is due to go live by the end of January. "Meet the Contractor" events are being planned for April or May.
December 2024
Galliford Try continues constructing temporary compounds for the Banwell Bypass. Archaeological investigations are ongoing and are expected to continue until February; so far, no significant findings have been reported. There may be delays in presenting related documents to the Full Council in the New Year. Additionally, Bristol Water has commenced mains water diversion work, which will result in further road closures.
November 2024
Vegetation clearance has been completed, and a temporary compound on Knightcott Road has been constructed. Archaeological work is nearing completion, with conditions currently being discharged. The construction of the haul road has been delayed until January. There are concerns about budget constraints, but the team are working to minimise its impact. The full construction contract is expected to be presented to the North Somerset Council Full Council in January. Photos documenting the process will be published on the North Somerset website.
Below is an outline timetable for the process. This will be updated as we get more information.
Key Milestones
1. Council grant decision - June 2020.
2. Procuremnet plan approvals - Summer 2020.
3. Signing grant agreement - August 2020.
4. Begin advanced surveys - August 2020.
5. Appoint designers - April 2021.
6. Design optioneering - Spring/Summer 2021
7. Six- week public consultation on options - July 5th until August 16th 2021
8. Decision made on preferred bypass route - Late Summer 2021. Route 2 selected. Click here for press release
9. Detailed design of preferred bypass route - Autumn / Winter 2021.
10. Pre planning application consultation on bypass design -10 March to 22 April 2022*7. Six- week public consultation on options - July 5th until August 16th 2021
11. Planning application submission - July 2022 Consulation ends 27th August APPROVED
12. CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) Public Inquiry - Summer 2023 July 11th APPROVED
13. Expected start on site to begin environemental mitigation - Spring 2024
14. August 2024, Design Contract signed
15. Haul Road Construction begins
16. 1st April Build Contract to be dicussed for final authorisation by North Somerset APPROVED
17. June 2025 Haul Road consturction complete and Earthworks for Bypass Begin
17. September 2025 Detailed Design for the scheme complete
18. October 2025 closure of Dark Lane for through traffic
16. Spring 2026 New Moor Road (onto Riverside) open to traffic
17. Winter 2026 Completion of wider mitigation measures in neighbouring village.
18. Summer 2026 Banwell Bridge at Riverside complete
17. Early 2027 South link and Banwell Bypass open to traffic.
18. Spring 2027 Planned Scheme completition
17. 2027 Mitigation / placemaking works throughout Banwell village.
Proposed Route
Over the years there have been many routes considered for the Banwell Bypass. In 2022, one route was selected and consulted on. The consultation booklets and bypass plans from the 2022 consultation are available to read online.
Below is an indicative map of the proposed route.
New Bypass Contractor Announced
North Somerset Council have entered into a new contract to deliver the Banwell bypass with Galliford Try. The contract follows months of hard work and negotiations after the original project contractors – Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd – told the council that they could no longer deliver the scheme. Since then, North Somerset Council have demonstrated their continued commitment to the Banwell bypass by starting environmental enabling works needed to prepare the area for eventual construction.
Galliford Try’s first task will be the completion of preparatory works and any remaining detailed design to discharge remaining planning conditions. The contract with Galliford Try is in two stages. The first stage includes preparatory works and detailed design and the second includes main construction. North Somerset Council will take a decision on proceeding with the second stage of the contract at Full Council in January.
To read more about the Banwell bypass, visit n-somerset.gov.uk/banwellbypass
Compulsory Purchases Orders granted for Banwell bypass
The Department for Transport has written to North Somerset Council to confirm the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) needed to build the Banwell bypass. This follows a public inquiry into the use of CPOs, held over the summer of 2023. At the inquiry, interested parties, including the council, presented evidence for and against the use of CPOs. An independent inspector leading the public inquiry then presented evidence to the Secretary of State for Transport, helping inform the decision to grant the use of CPO powers.
CPOs will be used to purchase land needed to build the bypass for cases where it could not be purchased by negotiation. The Banwell bypass is funded through Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (see below). You can read more about the Banwell bypass on North Somerset Council's Banwell Bypass page
Filling the Funding Gap
The Banwell bypass has received additional government funding through Homes England following negotiations led by North Somerset Council. The council reported that unprecedented inflationary pressures and the rising price of energy and building materials were pushing up delivery costs for the project.
North Somerset Council unanimously agreed an additional £11.9m of funding at their Full Council meeting in July 2022. This decision has been boosted by agreement from Homes England to close the remaining funding gap and extend the funding window through to March 2026.
Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said:
“It’s superb news that Homes England have strengthened their ongoing support with further funding to help us build the Banwell bypass. This is a strong endorsement of our flagship scheme and everything it can offer our communities. Banwell bypass is set to cut congestion through Banwell whilst unlocking land for future development, providing the infrastructure needed to support growth in our area. It’s also set to deliver miles of new walking, cycling and horse-riding paths, as well as improvements to biodiversity and local habitats. We’re grateful for Homes England and Government support for the Banwell bypass. The additional funding helps us continue our hard work to build the scheme.”
Find out more about the Banwell bypass on North Somerset Council's Banwell Bypass page.
Banwell Bypass Planning Applications
The Banwell Bypass planning application reference is 22/P/1768/R3EIA.
To view all related planning application documents, please search this reference code on the North Somerset Council Planning Applications page.