News / Transport
2016: the year of the MetroBus delays?
A year of possible delays are expected on the M32 as work gets underway on one of nine major construction points around the city for the new MetroBus high-speed bus route.
A new bridge and slip road is being installed between Junction 1 and Junction 2 for the new part-segregated bus route, with closures and speed limits expected until December at least.
Eight other major roadworks schemes are already underway for the £200 million project, most of which will be completed this year, but some of which will not be finished until Autumn 2017.
The new route is designed to hold high-speed buses linking Ashton Vale, Hengrove, Cribbs Causeway and Emersons Green to the city centre.
Drivers on the M32 have been warned about the works – include removing overhead powerlines and building a new bus-only slip road and bridge to Stapleton – which started this week.
Temporary speed limits will be in force when necessary. In the case of closures, northbound traffic will be diverted via Muller Road, Fishponds Road, Overndale Road, Bromley Heath Road and the A4174 ring road. Southbound traffic will be diverted via the A4174 ring road, Gloucester Road and Muller Road.
The work follows weeks of protests at the Stapleton Allotments, fertile land which is being tarmacked for the new but route.
Demonstrators spend weeks camped in trees above the allotments in February before being removed by a private security firm employed by the council.
Further disruption to traffic is expected at other construction points along the new MetroBus route, including in the city centre, at Aztec West and on the A4174 ring road. The first buses are expected to be running by 2017.
A spokesperson at MetroBus said of the M32 work: “The traffic management measures will aim to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. Further closures that may be required will be notified in advance.”
is needed now More than ever
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
