£6m Safety and Resilience Upgrade Planned for A46 North of Bath

National Highways is investing £6 million in a package of improvements on the A46 north of Bath, aimed at enhancing safety, reliability and resilience on one of the region’s busiest routes.

The scheme will include resurfacing works, upgraded signage and improved drainage to reduce the risk of flooding. New and enhanced chevron signs will also be installed at Hartley Bends over the coming months, targeting a known safety hotspot on the stretch between the London Road roundabout junction and the Cold Ashton roundabout.

More than 20,000 vehicles use this section of the A46 every day, making it a vital corridor for commuters, deliveries and the movement of goods.

Sean Walsh, Route Manager at National Highways, said:“More than 20,000 drivers use this route every day for work, home deliveries and the movement of goods and services, so it’s essential we continue to provide the maintenance and upgrades needed to make sure journeys remain safe and reliable.”

The programme of works will be delivered in phases. Phase one is due to begin on 18 January and will focus on ground investigation surveys and the installation of monitoring equipment at Charmy Downs. These early works will help engineers better understand ground conditions and inform the design of future improvements.

Later in the year, phases two and three will see further drainage upgrades at Four Winds Farm, alongside resurfacing works at Hartley Bends to improve skid resistance and overall road condition.

National Highways said the phased approach will allow essential safety improvements to be delivered while minimising disruption to road users wherever possible.