News / Transport
City centre set for new transformation
Work to transform Bristol city centre, reducing traffic flow and increasing pedestrian and cycle space, is due to start.
Signs have gone up warning that bus stops will be relocated this Friday, September 11, marking the beginning of the one-and-a-half-year construction.
The changes, which are being undertaken in three phases, finishing in March 2017, will see a new stretch of Colston Avenue, from St Stephen’s Avenue to Electricity House, closed to cars.
is needed now More than ever
Baldwin Street will also be extended to cut across the centre next to the fountains. The new stretch will be two-way and open to all traffic.
However, traffic travelling on Baldwin Street towards the Hippodrome will not be able to turn right onto Colston Avenue – meaning significantly longer travel times for drivers heading to Lewins Mead or St James Barton Roundabout.
The new city centre has been redesigned to accommodate the MetroBus, linking the North and South through three high speed bus routes.
The changes will also bring new, segregated cycle lanes to make it easier and safer for cyclists to cross the city centre.
Bus and taxi-only lanes will also be extended from Broad Quay down Colston Avenue as far as St Stephen’s Avenue.
The under-used area around the Cenotaph will also be significantly opened up for pedestrians under the new plans. There will no longer be any road linking Rupert Street with Small Street, in front of the main entrance to Electricity House.
The main taxi rank for the city centre will also move from its place on the fountains island to the other side of the road between St Stephen’s Street and St Stephen’s Avenue.
Phase one, which includes extending Baldwin Street and widening pavements on Colston Avenue, will begin in earnest in October.
The bus stops closing this Friday are being relocated to new sites. Full details can be found here.
The changes are the first since the centre was last modernised in the year 2000.
