News / Hotwells
A forgotten corner of Hotwells could finally be improved
If you arrive into Bristol city centre from the direction of the Cumberland Basin, you will go around ‘Hotwells Corner’.
It’s an unloved area of tarmac with much of the space taken up by parked cars where the three-lane Hotwell Road bends right, opposite Dowry Square.
A newly launched consultation hopes to dramatically change this small area with new trees and a pedestrian crossing among many suggested improvements.
is needed now More than ever
An artist’s impression of what an improved Hotwells Corner could look like – image: Hotwells Corner
Hotwells Corner is actually made up of two former roads in one, Chapel Row and Dowry Parade, which now encompass solely the one-way Hotwell Road as it scythes its way through what were once much narrower thoroughfares.
A map from 1828 shows an area of greenery and trees on Chapel Row opposite Dowry Parade, with a 90-degree turn onto Love Street and Merchants Parade which then becomes Hotwell Road at its junction with today’s Ambra Vale.
Chapel Row takes its name from Dowry Chapel, built in 1744 as a chapel-of-ease to St Andrew in Clifton. The chapel was replaced in 1872 by St Andrew-the-Less church, which was demolished in 1963 and in turn replaced by a block of flats.
The Ashmead map from 1828 shows greenery and trees at today’s ‘Hotwells Corner’ – image: Know Your Place
As well as changes to Hotwells Corner itself, the Hotwells Corner Campaign hopes to introduce other improvements in the surrounding roads including safety measures around the nearby Hotwells Primary School, whose main entrance is on Albermarle Row.
A map produced by campaigners with their ideas shows no vehicle access from Granby Hill to Hope Chapel Hill at school drop-off and pick-up times; as well as a new zebra crossing on Hope Chapel Hill and street furniture to deter pavement parking.
The plans from the Hotwells Corner Campaign cover much more than the Hotwells Corner – image: Hotwells Corner Campaign
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Hotwells Primary School: ‘a small school with a big heart’
- The small square with a large number of famous former residents
- Hotwells pub named best in Bristol by CAMRA
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
