Public feedback sought on proposed changes to Bristol’s road network

A raft of “radical changes” are being proposed as part of the major ongoing transformation of Bristol’s road network.

People are now being asked to give feedback on the plans that could see a bus gate installed at the top of Park Street, new 24-hour bus lanes and more separated cycle and pedestrian routes along the number two bus route, which stretches from Cribbs Causeway to Stockwood.

The council is also seeking to permanently implement measures designed to improve pedestrian access, manage traffic flow and reduce air pollution around Park Row, where separated cycle lanes marked with cones were introduced last year.

Bristol City Council says “radical changes” are needed to the road network in the face of the climate emergency and commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

The aim is to install more safe, separated routes for cyclists and pedestrians and improve the city’s notoriously unreliable bus service by prioritising bus lanes and gates.

New pedestrian crossings are also being proposed in areas where safety concerns have been raised and there are plans to close certain junctions – such as the Bellevue Road junction in Totterdown – to traffic in a bid to prevent rat runs.

Don Alexander, Labour’s cabinet member for transport said: “Following a period of engagement last year, we’re now inviting the public to have their say on community-informed designs that lay out positive steps for changing a major transport corridor in and out of Bristol.

“As our city continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, these improvements will allow Bristol to feel more connected, with shorter journeys and more reliable services, welcoming more people to choose catching the bus, cycling or walking and make the air we breathe cleaner.”

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Read more: One of Bristol’s most famous streets could be closed to cars

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The council says it aims to support businesses on and around Park Row “to stay and thrive” by managing traffic flow and increasing pedestrian footfall in the area, with plans to make changes on Perry Road, Upper Maudlin Street and Colston Street permanent.

These include:

• Remove the central reservation along Upper Maudlin Street past the BRI Hospital so that a continuous, protected cycle lane can be installed.
• Make Colston Street one-way south bound to the junction of Lower Park Row.
• A number of upgrades to pedestrian crossings.
• Replace temporary bollards protecting the cycle lane on St Michael’s Hill with kerbed separation.
• Make the separated cycle lane on Park Row permanent and install “high-quality screw down bollards” to replace the cones that are frequently missed or fallen over.
• A proposal to replace parking spaces with cycle hangars for residents on Colston Street, Woodland Road and Lower Park Row is also being considered.

There are plans to make the separated cycle lane along Park Row permanent and replace the cones with “high-quality bollards” – photo by Martin Booth

The number two bus route spans neighbourhoods across the city and a number of drop-in and online consultation events are taking place.

Among the changes being proposed are:

• Installation of a bus gate at the top of Park Street to restrict traffic flow in both directions.
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• One of three alternative proposals; a bus gate restricting traffic inbound from the north, a bus gate restricting traffic outbound from the south or the installation of an inbound bus lane.
• Make the bus lane along Wells Road 24 hours.
• Remove the Bellevue Road junction in Totterdown to reduce rat running.
• New crossing facilities and mini roundabout at the Crow Lane, Henbury Road junction.
• A new bus lane on Southmead Road on the approach to the Wellington Hill West junction.
• Southmead Road would be narrowed to one lane in each direction.
• Roman Road would be made into a walking and cycling route.
• New 24-hour outbound bus lane on Whiteladies Road between Wellington Park and York Street.
• A new three-stage traffic signal at the Whiteladies Road/Queens Road junction.
• Closure of Park Street Avenue cat both ends to stop rat running between Park Row and Park Street and to provide the opportunity for public space.
• A widened footway on the east side of Park Street made possible by the proposed bus gate restricting general traffic to Park Street from the top.

Full information, dates for drop-in events and the consultation on improvements to the number two bus route are available via www.travelwest.info/projects/a37-a4018-transport-corridor#consultation-proposed-designs-have-your-say-1.

Full information and an online survey for the consultation on Park Row, Perry Road, Upper Maudlin, Marlborough Street and Colston Street is available via www.bristol.citizenspace.com/sustainable-transport/park-row-consultation/

Read more: Bristol’s most ambitious improvements to walking and cycling in a generation 

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