Work at Backwell Croassroads on A370 to begin on Monday

The work to upgrade Backwell traffic lights is expected to take two weeks and cause delays for those using the A370

Motorists are being warned of delays on a busy route into Bristol while work to upgrade traffic lights is carried out.

Work is due to start on Monday (June 1) to upgrade the lights at Backwell Crossroads on the A370.

The work, costing £51,000, is expected to take two weeks, with motorists being warned the work may cause some disruption.

The permanent traffic lights will be switched off while the work is carried out and replaced with temporary signals to control the traffic.

The work is being done at the same time as Bristol Water will be on site to repair a water leak.

North Somerset Council executive member for highways Councillor James Tonkin said: “There may be some delays due to the work but we will try and keep these to a minimum.”

The A370 is a busy commuter route into Bristol.

It is also the main access route for the village’s recycling centre, which opened today (Friday) after months of being closed due to the Government lockdown.

Some local residents have raised concerns about the timing of the work as many people will be eager to use the recycling centre which is accessed via Dark Lane.

Those wanting to avoid the traffic lights often use Church Lane as a shortcut to the recycling centre.

Signs have gone up on roads which lead to the recycling centre warning of waits to get into the site of up to two hours.

This morning queues were already starting to build with some people choosing to wait outside of their cars in the heat.

Posting on a Backwell Parish Council Facebook page, resident Richard Billows said: "Well that's just brilliant, the Backwell tip reopens after 10 weeks closure with no extra hours which I suspect will cause absolute gridlock in Backwell up Dark and Church lane back to the crossroads where these works are due to start two days later.

"Talk about joined up thinking...do these people not talk to each other????????? [sic]"

Thelma Trendell posted: "I don't think it's a good idea to do this work at the same time as the recycling centre opens."

A council spokesman said the work was being carried out to the lights as part of a 15 year programme to upgrade traffic signals across the district.

The spokesman added: “We have to do this work at some stage.

“The lights should not cause additional hold ups for people using the recycling centre.

“People can also use a mapping app to check how busy the roads are around the centre.”

The council has put in place a series of measures to limit the number of visitors to the village recycling centre.

Backwell Recycling Centre is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

It is open on between 10am and 4pm on Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays and from 9am to 4pm on a Sunday and from 9am to 4.30pm on a Saturday.

A number plate system has been put in place where people with an odd number plate can visit on a Monday or a Saturday.

Those with an even number can visit on a Friday or a Sunday

Only one person will be allowed outside each vehicle at one time although exceptions will be made for people with mobility issues where two people can unload to same vehicle.

Staff will not be able to help unload vehicles and people should only bring items which they can comfortably lift on their own.

Only one person will be allowed at each skip at any one time and social distancing should be adhered to at all times.

People are also being asked to bring their own protective gloves to wear while unloading rubbish.

Two metre social distancing must be adhered to at all times.