Nelson Street cycle path to be reopened ‘early in the new year’

A cycle lane that was opened but then fenced off after only a week could be fixed early in 2022.

But the developer who built the path on Nelson Street appears to be blaming the city council for the embarrassing fiasco, while the city council says that the delay is the developer’s fault.

A spokesperson for developer, Artisan Real Estate, told Bristol24/7 that “there clearly is a resource issue in the council” which is preventing the path from reopening.

The cycle lane on Nelson Street opened in May, was closed just a week later and has been fenced off ever since with weeds now growing in the cracks between the paving stones.

Starting close to the Lanes, the route was a single-lane contraflow that had a section midway through which saw cyclists and pedestrians forced to share the space with a layby for delivery lorries.

When the new cycle lane opened, Bristol Cycling Campaign called it “an unsafe bodge” but Bristol’s cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, said that “the aim is to produce the best possible scheme with the space available”.

Alexander also called the controversial new Cheltenham Road and Ashley Road junction an “excellent” scheme when it opened in August.

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Read more: Photo of Bristol’s sub-standard infrastructure goes viral

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In regards to the Nelson Street cycle lane, a spokesperson from Bristol City Council said: “We continue to work with the developer to resolve the safety issues identified within the newly built segregated cycle path and footway that was delivered as part of the redevelopment of the former NatWest building.

“The proposals are nearing final approval and we expect the works to be completed and the footway within Nelson Street to be open early in the New Year.

“We understand the frustration with the area remaining fenced off but our priority is to make sure the developer delivers a solution that is safe for all road users and enhances Nelson Street.”

A layby takes up the middle section of the cycle path, with the space meant to be shared by pedestrians, cyclists and lorries

Artisan Real Estates UK property director, Clive Wilding, told Bristol24/7 that Artisan completed the offsite section 278 works in March and are still awaiting sign-off “on various snagging items” from the council.

In an email, Wilding said: “In addition Bristol City Council engineers asked us to carry out some additional works, which to get matters resolved we have considered and submitted proposals…

“Again we await feedback from Bristol City Council engineers. There clearly is a resource issue in the council.

“We are most anxious to open the new steps from a position of permeability into the new improved public realm in North lane around the Bank pub square , so it improves the public’s personal safety.

“Artisan believe we have completed the works and to help Bristol City Council submitted suggested improvements but await feedback.”

The contraflow cycle path finishes next to St John on the Wall church

All photos & video: Martin Booth

Read next:

• New cycle lane is an ‘unsafe bodge’
• Labour councillor calls Cycling Campaign ‘arrogant and dismissive’
• Are Bristol’s streets safe enough for cycling?

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