Preparation works started today for the rebuilding of Kelston Road, coinciding with a meeting between Kingswood MP and the Roads Minister to discuss the ongoing closure.
MP Chris Skidmore met Minister Robert Goodwill to raise with the Department for Transport the ongoing closure of the A431 as a result of a landslip caused by the wet winter weather.
The Government has provided BANES with funding, totalling nearly £500,000 as part of its package of help for councils dealing with roads affected by adverse weather.
The road, which has been closed since February, is due to reopen before Christmas. A spokesman said: “Preparation works, including setting up our site and installing fencing have started on site today and the council is planning to work continually on the project until completion.”
Mr Skidmore said: “While I remain concerned at the length of time it will take to get the road open, I wanted to make sure that my constituents’ views were heard right at the top, which is why I arranged a meeting with the minister to discuss the closure and the urgency of the situation.
“I know that this has been a difficult time for local people and businesses in Swineford, Upton Cheyney, Beach and Bitton, as well as a huge inconvenience for constituents across the area.”
The council considered building a temporary road but recently announced that it would take too long. Meanwhile work is well under way on a private temporary toll road across a farmer’s field next to the closed-off section of road with an estimated opening date is 1st August but the council is concerned about the impact of traffic loading on the land above the slip and says that no application for planning permission for the toll road has been received.
