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This Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant funding from Homes England, together with an additional £4.8m contribution from ourselves, means the project is fully funded and can now progress to the main construction phase, ready to open in early 2027.
This last funding boost is a result of positive discussions between ourselves and Homes England, as well as the ongoing support from local MPs and the UK government.
The bypass has been almost a century in the making and will remove a notorious congestion pinch point from Banwell village, improving links between Weston-super-Mare and the A38, while also providing walking, cycling and horse riding routes to help promote sustainable travel.
The scheme is an important part of our ambition to deliver £450m of capital investment into local infrastructure, as well as help us deliver on our Local Plan ambitions.
Good progress has already been made with early environmental works, vegetation clearance and construction of access roads.
The government funding boost comes almost a year after Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd pulled out of the scheme.
At April’s Full Council meeting, councillors agreed to the increased funding from ourselves and issued a Notice to Proceed with the second stage of the bypass’ construction contract with Galliford Try.
This decision was the last one needed before main construction works can get under way.
Our additional funding is primarily drawn from the Economic Development Fund. This is funding that can only be used on capital schemes, as opposed to our day-to-day revenue spending.