News / Transport
M32 could be reclassified as an A-road
A new express bus service could soon be launched in Bristol with three stops along the M32 that could be downgraded from a motorway to an A-road.
The plans include changing some roads in the city centre to allow the segregated service to run from the south-west to the north-east of the city.
Similar to the metrobus services, the new “rapid transit route” would end at either UWE’s Frenchay campus or Emersons Green.
is needed now More than ever
South of the city centre, the route would follow the existing one taken by the M2 bus.
Three new bus stops would be created in Stoke Park, St Werburgh’s and St Paul’s; and new bus lanes would also be installed along what is currently the M32.
The public consultation ends on September 30 and includes a raft of other major changes.
M32 express bus route proposal – map: Bristol City Council
The TravelWest website says: “We are proposing changes to roads that would make it possible to operate a new rapid transit route running from the south-west to the north-east of the city via Bristol city centre.
“This is part of a larger ambition for a rapid transit network of fast, frequent, reliable, high-quality services running across the city.
“Between the south-west and centre, we have been implementing other bus priority measures which rapid transit services would benefit from.
“In the central area, the route isn’t currently physically possible. This project would do that and would make the route faster.”
South of the city centre, the council has already built a bus-only road and a bus-only bridge, and installed a bus gate on Cumberland Road.
North of the centre, the M32 could be reclassified and turned into an A-road. A bus gate would be installed on Redcliff Street to stop the new service getting stuck in traffic.
Beginning in the Long Ashton Park & Ride, the route would run from Cumberland Road over Redcliff Hill and Bristol Bridge, and then along Union Street and up the Haymarket.
Transport changes for the city centre include making Union Street two-way for buses and banning taxis and motorcycles, as well as creating a new junction with the Haymarket.
Speaking to councillors in September 2023, Adam Crowther, head of city transport, said: “One of the key issues about metrobus was that it doesn’t stop in St Paul’s.
“The M32 is a motorway so it’s very difficult to have a stopping service, so we’re missing areas like St Pauls, Easton, St Werburgh’s. They’re missing out on connections and good quality bus routes.”
The new bus stops appear to be planned for Stoke Park, next to a footpath which runs under the motorway and connects to Stapleton; St Werburgh’s, just north of junction two of the M32; and St Paul’s, next to the footbridge that goes over the motorway.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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