MONTHS of delays to the long-awaited building of a bypass around a congested village were narrowly avoided after local politicians scrambled to get the government to approve the scheme “in the nick of time”.

The village of Banwell on the edge of the Mendip Hills faces a serious congestion issue, as two A-roads meet in the centre where roads narrow and at one point are only wide enough for cars to travel in one direction.

In November, North Somerset Council unanimously signed off plans to build a bypass around the village after a long time in the works, but still had to wait for the government to approve the compulsory purchase orders needed for the scheme.

A decision had been expected by Christmas but it did not arrive until earlier this week (January 29).

Now, Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose has said the council called him to help get the plans over the line.

Mr Penrose said: “Work on the Banwell bypass was in danger of being delayed for months if key government approvals for some of the land deals didn’t arrive in time.

“So when the council called, I was keen to help.

“After a lot of calls, lobbying and plenty of goodwill on all sides, I’m delighted the permissions arrived in the nick of time for the council to get on with the job.

“We’ve been waiting for decades for the bypass, and no-one wants it to take a moment longer.”

Work is planned to begin in May 2024 and take two years to complete.

If the road opens in 2026 as planned, it will be just shy of a century since the idea of a bypass was first proposed in 1927.

Welcoming the government decision, council leader Mike Bell said: “The Banwell bypass was first proposed all the way back in 1927, so this brilliant news marks a truly historic day for North Somerset.

“Now we have the green light use CPOs, we’re able to acquire the land, get on site and start building.

“Not only will the Banwell bypass ease longstanding traffic issues in Banwell village, it will better connect communities by cutting journey times for those travelling between Weston-super-Mare and the A38.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us on our journey so far, including those who shared their views in consultation and shaped the bypass design, along with the design of miles of walking, cycling and horse-riding tracks.

“I’d also like to thank John Penrose MP for his continued support for this important project.

“In the coming weeks we will begin environmental works, readying the area for construction set to start in the spring.

“The bypass also includes new ponds, woodland and wetland and our contractor, Alun Griffiths, are innovating to cut construction’s carbon footprint.”

The scheme as a whole carries a £89.2m price tag. Homes England has provided £77.3m of this money, with North Somerset Council contributing £11.9m.

The traffic in the small village is so bad that locals say they have been told the zebra crossing children must use to get to school is too dangerous for a lollipop lady.