More than two miles of new segregated cycle routes planned

Major improvements to cycling routes in Bristol have been revealed as part of plans encompassing an area from Bedminster to St Paul’s through the city centre.

Ed Plowden, chair of the transport & connectivity committee at Bristol City Council, called the plans “transformative” and that they “will impact almost everyone who travels to, or through, Bristol city centre”.

More than two miles of new segregated cycle routes are being proposed, with the improvements due to connect to existing cycle routes and other improvements already planned.

A proposed new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Redcliffe Way – image: Bristol City Council

Plans include:

• A new two-way segregated cycle track south to north from Bedminster Parade to Redcliffe Way via Redcliff Hill including cycle tracks through the junctions at Bedminster Bridges and Redcliffe Roundabout, and connections to Coronation Road, York Road, Commercial Road, Clarence Road, Redcliffe Way and Whitehouse Street (CN1 on the below map)
• An improved on-road cycle route south to north on Redcliff Street between Redcliffe Roundabout and Victoria Street (CN2)
• A new two-way segregated cycle track south to north from Temple Gate junction to Old Market roundabout, including connections to Temple Back, Avon Street and Cheese Lane via a link through the new Assembly Building (CN3)
• A new two-way segregated cycle track south to north from Castle Street to Bond Street via Lower Castle Street and Penn Street (CN4)
• A new two-way segregated cycle track east to west from Nelson Street to Bond Street via Fairfax Street (where there will be a short section of one-way cycle track on the west end), Broad Weir and Castle Mead (CN5)
• A new two-way segregated cycle track east to west from Bristol Bridge to Broad Weir via High Street, Wine Street and Newgate (CN6)
• A one-way north to south segregated cycle link between Haymarket and Wine Street via Silver Street and Union Street (CN7)
• A new two-way segregated cycle track south to north route from Nelson Street to Stokes Croft via Christmas Street, Lewins Mead, The Haymarket, North Street and Moon Street (CN8)
• A new two-way route west to east from the Bearpit roundabout to Newfoundland Road via York Street, the south side of Brunswick Square, Pembroke Street and Wilson Street, including a cycle contraflow on the south side of Portland Square (CN9)

Most of the proposed routes offer full segregation for cyclists from pedestrians and motor vehicles – map: Bristol City Council

In a consultation that opened on Monday, Bristol City Council say they are “proposing cycling improvements in the Broadmead area and the Bedminster Bridges, Redcliffe Roundabout, Temple Way and Bond Street areas, which would connect to existing and proposed sections of the cycle network”.

They add: “Most of the proposed cycling improvements are cycle tracks, which give cyclists separation from pedestrians and motor vehicles and would make it easier and more pleasant to cycle to and through the city centre.”

A new cycle contraflow is proposed on the south side of Portland Square in St Paul’s – image: Bristol City Council

The Bristol City Centre Transport Changes consultation is running until September 30.

As well as cycling improvements, it sets out how the council hopes to pedestrianise The Horsefair and Penn Street in Broadmead.

Plowden added: “As someone who is passionate about making sustainable transport options better and more appealing, I am delighted these proposals include plans to prioritise buses, and a raft of changes including 3.5 kilometres of segregated cycle routes along with wider pavements and better crossings.

“By investing to make bus travel quicker and more reliable, and active travel safer and easier, we can help decarbonise our transport network which would have so many benefits, not least helping people to travel more actively while cutting congestion and pollution on our roads.”

To find out more about the plans and to take part in the consultation, visit www.ask.bristol.gov.uk/bristol-city-centre-transport-changes-consultation-2024

Main image: Bristol City Council

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