Christmas market fears as roadworks cause long delays


Roadworks could spark traffic chaos as thousands of people attempt to reach Bath Christmas Market - Image © Getty Images

Roadworks are causing major disruption on one of the main routes leading to the UK's largest Christmas market.

Temporary traffic lights have reduced A36 Beckford Road in Bath to a single lane, with people saying they are spending "hours sitting" in traffic.

But residents fear the delays will become even worse when the Christmas market opens on 26 November and have urgently called on council leaders to reopen a route shut for the city's low traffic scheme.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (Banes) said it could not confirm whether it would temporarily adjust rules on nearby Sydney Road, which has been closed to vehicles since 2024.

Sydney Road and Beckford Road were once both official parts of the A36, with the major route splitting in two around Sydney Gardens.

However, Sydney Road was closed to motorists in 2024 as part of the council's programme of liveable neighbourhoods.

There are now long delays on Beckford Road, which is undergoing improvements to its pavements, main road and cycling path.

A 200-year-old canal tunnel under the road is also being worked on after contractors widening a pavement accidentally broke through its roof.

(BBC article continues)