Issue - meetings

Feedback from consultations that informed the Keynsham Town Plan, Keynsham Transport Strategy, the B&NES Placemaking Plan & the one-way trial highlighted the importance of public realm improvements in Keynsham. B&NES has consequently drawn up a draft public realm scheme and undertaken further consultation which will arrive at a preferred option incorporating suggestions made through the consultation process where possible. A Full Business Case will be submitted to the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for a £1.5 million grant in March 2019, which will be supplemented by £193,000 Section 106 funding to pay for the work.

Councillor Paul Myers introduced the report by saying that high streets across the UK were struggling and rethinking the High Street offer and public realm improvements could help to stem the national trend towards online retailing with a consequent decline in town centre vitality.

If the project was not implemented then the current issues of poor image, poor public realm, and a Conservation Area ‘at risk’ (as assessed by Historic England) would remain and the Council would not have fulfilled its obligations arising from the Corporate Strategy, Placemaking Plan or Keynsham Transport Strategy.

The Council was legally directed to produce a Clean Air Plan to achieve compliance with European Limit Values.  Keynsham has been declared an Air Quality Management Area for high nitrogen dioxide levels.  Air Quality monitoring was carried out before the one-way trial (baseline) and during the project to evidence the positive change the one way scheme has delivered.

Cabinet & Keynsham Ward Members, stakeholders, interest groups and members of the public have been consulted throughout the project development phase.  Keynsham Town Council in particular welcomed early engagement with the project and input to the design of the scheme.

The public realm project was part of the Keynsham Town Centre Programme and further public realm improvements in the town would be undertaken when funding is available.

If the funding is approved on 31st May 2019 then work would start in spring 2020 and would be complete by March 2021.

Councillor Paul Myers moved the recommendations.

Councillor Tim Warren seconded the motion by saying that there was a mixed reaction initially with the Keynsham High Street one way trial, though it has been proved to be successful as the air quality has improved.  Councillor Warren also said that the roundabout and access to Tesco supermarket would require more work.

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that Tesco junction would be one of the priorities for the public in Keynsham.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

2.1  Note the draft concept design, which will be submitted as part of the Full Business Case to the Local Enterprise Partnership for funding of £1.5m to deliver the scheme, alongside £193k S106;

2.2  Approve, subject to LEP funding approval on 31 May:

(1)  the preparation of detailed design (including further consultation) up to tender stage

(2)  the procurement of a project manager & contractor; and

(3)  the construction of the scheme