DRONE pictures show work is finally underway on building a bypass to save a 'dying' village from gridlock - after a 100-year wait.

Locals are celebrating in Banwell after areas were cleared to build the road and ease the severe congestion that has made the centre of the village a 'no go' zone for decades.

Life-long residents in the village said it was a day they never thought they'd see - with some saying their relatives were involved in initial proposals as far back as 1927.

The once-thriving Somerset community of 3,200 people has lost dozens of shops with health studies also showing higher rates of breathing-related health issues among its school pupils.

But planning permission and funding was secured a year ago for the long-awaited bypass, with hopes it will be fully open to traffic by the winter of 2026.

And despite concerns when the original contractor withdrew, a new one has been found and locals have been told it remains on track.

Aerial pictures taken this week show fields dug up and preparation works being done - ahead of the second and final phrase expected to start in January.

Aerial images show work being commenced to build a bypass near Banwell, Somerset. November 12 2024. Drone pictures show work is finally underway on building a bypass to save a village from gridlock - after a 100 year wait. Locals are celebrating in Banwell after areas were cleared to build the road and ease the severe congestion that has made the centre of the village a 'no go' zone for decades. The once-thriving Somerset community of 3,200 people has lost dozens of shops with health studies also showing higher rates of breathing-related health issues among its school pupils. But planning permission and funding was secured a year ago for the long-awaited bypass - with hopes it will be fully open to traffic by March 2026.
Drone pictures show work is finally underway on building a bypass to save a village from gridlock - after a 100 year wait. (Tom Wren / SWNS)
Aerial images show work being commenced to build a bypass near Banwell, Somerset. November 12 2024. Drone pictures show work is finally underway on building a bypass to save a village from gridlock - after a 100 year wait. Locals are celebrating in Banwell after areas were cleared to build the road and ease the severe congestion that has made the centre of the village a 'no go' zone for decades. The once-thriving Somerset community of 3,200 people has lost dozens of shops with health studies also showing higher rates of breathing-related health issues among its school pupils. But planning permission and funding was secured a year ago for the long-awaited bypass - with hopes it will be fully open to traffic by March 2026.
(Tom Wren / SWNS)

Banwell Parish Council chairman Paul Harding, 59, said: "All the preparation work is being done now and a lot of fields have been dug up and trees down. In January the full contract will be awarded to start building it.”

The village lies at the crossroads between two busy A-roads, which at points is only wide enough to allow one vehicle to pass.

And studies showed the proposed bypass could reduce traffic through the village by up to 78 per cent.

Mr Harding added: "There are various views but the vast majority can not wait for it to be built. Everyone knows leaving Banwell the traffic is horrendous at any time of the day. It is a major route that goes through the village and part of the primary road network. This will make a massive difference."

The final approval for the two mile bypass came when North Somerset Council voted in favour of the £56.5m contract.

A total of £89.2m funding has been approved for the scheme and includes costs such as consultants, utilities, and contingency money.

It has been approved on the basis of nearly 3,000 new homes being built nearby with Homes England providing £77.3m and North Somerset Council contributing £11.9m.

Local historian Roy Rice, 80, who has lived his whole life in the village, said it had been a long time coming.

He added: "My uncle, Wally Richards, when he was 11, helped the survey and put the pegs in of the original bypass plan.

"It was a different variation in 1927. It will be 99 years since then when it finally opens. He is no longer with us but I am sure he would be very surprised we are still talking about it nearly 100 years later.

"Hopefully the bypass will bring life back to the centre of the village. We are not under the illusion that it will fix everything, but it will make it a much better place to live, work and walk in."

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Banwell bypass is a vital scheme for North Somerset, one that will alleviate a century of traffic congestion from Banwell village and will also unlock sites for new housing, helping us grasp the benefit of regional growth. 

“It’s a scheme we’re immensely proud of and keen to deliver and, despite setbacks over these past few months, I’m pleased to say that we’re still on track toward starting construction this year.”