News / bristol and bath railway path
Major changes to Bristol and Bath Railway Path revealed
A raft of changes have been revealed for a pathway that has linked communities in east Bristol and beyond for more than 40 years.
The proposed new designs are the culmination of more than two years consultation with different users of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path in a bid to tackle existing issues, while improving safety and accessibility for everyone.
Some of the major changes unveiled by Sustrans on Wednesday include flattening the mound at the Easton Community Centre turn off to create a shared communal space with better visibility, creating separated cycling and pedestrian paths on the Clay Bottom ‘wiggle’ and improved access at a number of intersections, including the Russell Town Avenue entrance by City Academy.
is needed now More than ever
The £1.1m project to carry out improvements on the stretch between Trinity Street and Clay Bottom is funded by the Department for Transport as part of Sustrans’ England-wide Paths for Everyone programme.
It comes amid recent waves of concern about an increase in attacks and incidents along the pathway.
James Cleeton, Sustrans’ south of England director says the passion of communities who use the path has fed into the design process and helped shape the proposed improvements.
“The designs we are sharing today reflect the input of a large number of people, ranging from families taking their children to school, to people using the path to cycle to work, to community groups using the space, and those looking to get out in nature in this otherwise very urban part of the city, to name just a few,” said James.
“With so many people using the path in so many different ways, creating a balanced design that improves things for everyone has been a big challenge. Our hope is that this redesigned section of path is one that will now be far more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for the many types of uses, now and in the future.”
…………………………………….
Read more: Have your say on future of Bristol & Bath Railway Path
…………………………………….
Included in the plans is a new, level access point just by Clay Bottom, from Rose Green Road, gentler, sloped access at Russell Town Avenue, widening of the path to the east of the St Philips Causeway underpass, which will incorporate separate walking and cycling lanes, and widening the path to the east of Lawrence Hill bridge.
There will also be new seating and hardstanding areas for wheelchairs and pushchairs created along the stretch of pathway.
The space by Easton Community Centre is set for some of the biggest changes – image courtesy of Sustrans/ One Path project
The works will include removing 19 trees in locations where personal safety, physical safety or accessibility are of particular concern.
Sustrans bosses have committed to planting 250 trees to mitigate the impact of this and say the plans have been designed to minimise disruption to nature, using construction methods that will ensure the protection of tree roots, while preserving local wildlife and ecological habitat.
The charity will sponsor the planting of a new area of woodland by One Tree Per Child Bristol, which will connect the woodland along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path to Coombe Brook Nature Reserve to the east. The woodland will be planted with a native species mix.
Bristol City Council is also set to carry out essential pruning and maintenance work – including the removal of several dead and decaying trees – while the changes are being implemented.
There will be a new access created at Rose Green Road and separated walking and cycling space at Clay Bottom – image courtesy of Sustrans/ One Path project
Kye Dudd, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The path is an important part of the city’s green transport infrastructure as well as a route enjoyed by families throughout the year.
“We recognise that work needs to be done to improve the path and ensure it can continue to serve the community in so many different ways. We have worked closely with local residents, and people who use the path regularly, to come up with these plans and to make sure the right changes are made.
“One of the biggest issues raised during the engagement was safety, so we are going to make areas of the path more visible. We will also be widening the path in areas, to make more room for everyone to be able to enjoy the space.”
The aim is to improve safety and accessibility on the path – photo by Martin Booth
All of the proposed designs can be viewed via www.sustrans.org.uk.
Main image an artist’s sketch of the proposed new layout at Clay Bottom Bend – courtesy of Sustrans
Read more: Police patrols stepped up following attacks on Bristol & Bath Railway Path
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
