News / Transport
More segregated cycle lanes coming soon
Despite all of the grumbling, Bristol does have a number of excellent cycle lanes.
The problem is that most of them are disjointed, meaning that a brief journey all too often ends being spat out back onto a busy road.
But construction work will soon take place on two projects in the city centre that aim to improve journeys on two wheels and two feet.
is needed now More than ever
One is the ‘Old Market gap’ between the Old Market roundabout and Castle Park.
Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, said that this summer “will see the start of work on Castle Street’s junction with Tower Hill to install a segregated cycle route and widen the crossings so they’re safer for pedestrians and cyclists”.
The current ‘Old Market gap’ between the roundabout and Castle Park – photo: Martin Booth
But the first project to have “spades in the ground”, says Alexander, is at Bristol Bridge.
As Bristol24/7 has previously reported, work will take place here to install a segregated two-way cycle lane and remove the traffic signals to replace them with pedestrian crossings.
Alexander says that the aim is also to improve the reliability of the number 2 bus service and make walking and cycling easier and safer.
“We’re bringing the Bristol Bridge section of the works forward as its traffic signals are old and could fail if we don’t replace them soon.”
Alexander added: “We’re also progressing the plans for the other phases of the number 2 bus route, including extending the Bristol Bridge cycle lane along Victoria Street, which could get started next year.”
Don Alexander’s favourite bus is the Portway park & ride – photo: Martin Booth.
Writing in a blog, Alexander also revealed that the city council is “gearing up to start construction work on a package of improvements throughout the Old City and Queen Charlotte Street as well as improving connections to King Street later this year”.
“Work is set to include creating a new segregated cycle path and footpath along Queen Charlotte Street and improving access for pedestrians to Queen Square.
“There will also be improved pedestrian access from the Bristol Bridge junction to Baldwin Street and Castle Park and other improvements, such as dropped kerbs, improved crossings and raised tables, to make walking, wheeling and cycling more accessible and safer across the area.
“With all these schemes, and more on the way, it shows we are continuing to investing in our streets to make sure people can embrace more sustainable ways to move around the city, which will not only help reduce congestion, but will help to cut pollution and meet our climate pledge.”
Main image: Bristol City Council
Read next:
- Newsflash: Bristol can build decent segregated cycle lanes
- £3.6m funding for new walking and cycling improvements
- ‘We need a total overhaul in the approach to cycling in Bristol’
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