A BYPASS for Barrow Gurney has been included in a transport blueprint for the future of the region. A road to take traffic - especially vehicles using the airport - away from the centre of the village is being recommended in the Joint Local Transport Plan

A BYPASS for Barrow Gurney has been included in a transport blueprint for the future of the region.A road to take traffic - especially vehicles using the airport - away from the centre of the village is being recommended in the Joint Local Transport Plan.The bypass is likely to be the subject of a Major Scheme Bid Submission in 2011.No route has yet been identified, but the new road would link the A370 to the A38.In the latest plan report it says; Traffic generated by existing passengers levels at Bristol International Airport already has significant adverse impacts on the surrounding communities."Barrow Gurney in particular suffers from traffic using the village as a short cut for access to the airport and to avoid the Parson Street gyratory in Bristol."We believe that this scheme will deliver both local and strategic benefits."The news has been welcomed by local councillors and residents who have been campaigning for years for a bypass to solve the village's congestion problems.Barrow Gurney Parish Council chairman Geoff Coombs said: "This is fantastic news for everyone in Barrow Gurney."Now it is in the plan we need to get this bypass underway as soon as possible."The transport plan, which considers road safety, congestion, accessibility and air quality, provides a blueprint for traffic requirements until the year 2012.North Somerset executive member for strategic planning and transport John Crockford-Hawley said: "The Barrow Gurney bypass is a priority road in North Somerset in terms of funding."It is a critical link."Two preferred routes have been put forward - one close to Bristol and one nearer the village of Barrow Gurney.Cllr Crockford-Hawley said: "At this stage the routes are no more than vague lines on a map. However, if so much of the traffic using this link will be accessing the airport, the question has to be raised whether the airport itself will be making a contribution.