News / Transport
New segregated cycle lane opens on Bristol Bridge
A new segregated cycle lane is now open across Bristol Bridge, with associated works also making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross from Castle Park to Baldwin Street.
The cycle lane is one of Bristol’s best new pieces of cycling infrastructure to open in recent years.
But if you’re heading away from the city centre, the two-way lane abruptly stops just before Redcliff Street meaning that cyclists have to cross through moving traffic before continuing towards Temple Meads.
is needed now More than ever
It once again highlights the need for joined-up rather than disjointed infrastructure, with plans already in place for a new segregated cycle lane along Victoria Street.
The £1.4m project has seen the installation of a two-way segregated cycle lane on the west side of Bristol Bridge, as well as a parallel crossing for pedestrians and cyclists linking Castle Park to Baldwin Street, and a new zebra crossing across Baldwin Street.
A new bus shelter on Baldwin Street is expected to be installed in the coming weeks, with some remaining paving, road resurfacing and planting works set to be completed in January.
Segregated cycle lanes for the win
But watch out for oncoming traffic when continuing along Victoria Street
Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, said: “I am delighted that the new road layout is open in time for Christmas and that we will finish off the remaining works soon.
“The new layout makes Bristol Bridge much easier to use for anyone walking, cycling or scooting and suits the reduced traffic flow as a result of the bus gates we introduced in 2020
“This scheme is the first part of a major project to improve key bus routes across the city, to make them more reliable.
“It is an important part of our plans for our transport network which also includes opening more railway stations in the city, after Portway this year, along with ambitious plans for a mass transit system, which will truly transform how we travel across the city.”
New street furniture ready to be unveiled
A new bus stop wil be built on Baldwin Street
Pedestrians have a new crossing between Castle Park and Baldwin Street
Cyclists also have a new lane to turn left onto High Street more easily
But that also currently ends abruptly
The works are part of the first phase of a “strategic corridor project” which aims to improve the number 2 bus route for bus users, pedestrians and cyclists.
The next stage of the project – including plans for Victoria Street and Colston Avenue – is set to be considered by Bristol’s cabinet early in 2024.
If the plans are approved, a two-way segregated cycle lane will continue all the way from Bristol Bridge to Temple Way.
All photos: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Major changes planned for city centre street with new cycle lane
- Don Alexander: ‘Delivering change in Bristol requires politicians to be bold’
- South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood pilot scheme moves closer
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
