New set-back for Keynsham regeneration scheme


Concerns over rising costs and continued uncertainty

16/06/2011

Plans to regenerate Keynsham town centre have faced another set-back following an announcement by Bath and North East Somerset Council that it is to delay a public consultation on the scheme until later this year.

The exhibition was originally planned to take place in July and was to showcase plans to redevelop the town centre with new offices, shops, Library and public spaces. However, the Council's Labour-backed Liberal Democrat administration has decided to put the much-anticipated scheme on hold whilst it re-looks at the current plans.

With interest rates expected to rise this year and shop owners already vacating the existing town centre, this new delay to the project has raised concerns over the potential for spiralling costs and the prospect of long-term empty shops spoiling the town centre.

Conservative Councillors, who initiated the scheme, have been pressing the new Lib Dem administration to go ahead with regeneration project in order to boost the town's economy and create new local employment. However, with the project now sent back to the drawing board, Conservative Councillors in Keynsham have also expressed concerns over whether a new Library and Council drop-in shop will still form part of the project.

Keynsham Councillor and Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Charles Gerrish, said:

"Keynsham residents are telling me that it's vital for this project to progress as soon as possible to remove the current level of uncertainty. Unfortunately the announcement of this delay will offer no such reassurance. These continued delays will only result in rising costs for the Council and the prospect of a half-empty town centre.

"Residents deserve to know what the Liberal Democrat administration's plans really are for the town centre, and we will be seeking urgent reassurance that a new Library, community facilities and Council and other public services will still form a part of these plans.

"Having supported the Liberal Democrats to run B&NES, Labour Councillors have failed to secure a commitment from the Lib Dems over the future of this vital project. However, Conservative Councillors will continue to fight to see this project go ahead as it is vital to boosting the local economy and delivering the much-needed job creation our area needs."