Work on Banwell bypass to restart after contractors pulled out

The Banwell bypass is due to include new cycle ways and horse-riding tracks, as well as ponds and woodlands

Work is due to restart on a long-awaited bypass, North Somerset Council says.

Building a bypass around Banwell was first proposed in 1927. Preparatory work had begun and construction was finally due to begin in May.

But contractors Alun Griffiths unexpectedly downed tools and pulled out of the £56.5m contract in March.

The BBC contacted Alun Griffiths, but it declined to comment. North Somerset Council has now said new contractors would be on site within weeks.

Council leader Mike Bell said: "Residents will start to see people on site around Banwell over the next few weeks with new contractors undertaking the construction preparation works that Alun Griffiths failed to progress back in February.

"Over the past few weeks, we have had several positive conversations with contracting firms and are making progress on our next steps towards finding a new construction contractor to take on the main build."

Two A-roads funnel traffic into the village, which at one point has to go down a single track lane between houses and the village bakery.

The bypass aims to alleviate congestion between the A38 and Weston-super-Mare.

It was granted planning permission in March 2023 and the council approved the contract in November, which was a "pain/gain" contract designed to encourage the contractors to deliver the scheme on time.

Following an intervention from the Weston-super-Mare Conservative MP John Penrose, the government approved the orders in January, giving the final green light needed for the road to finally be built.

The scheme as a whole was due to cost £89.2m.

Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, has provided £77.3m of this money and North Somerset Council has contributed £11.9m.