Plans to reduce speed limit along part of the Portway

Bristol City Council has launched a consultation on plans to “boost sustainable transport options” along the Portway.

The proposals include introducing a 24-hour bus lane on both sides of the road along most of the route, widening narrow pavements that are shared by pedestrians and cyclists, and reducing the speed limit in places from 50mph to 40mph.

Focussed on the the north western section of the Portway, the proposals have been created using feedback from an early engagement exercise last summer.

Bristol City Council has launched a consultation on the future of transport along the Portway – photo: Betty Woolerton

Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: “As part of our ambitious programme to improve major transport routes in and out of Bristol, we need people to feed into this consultation to help us to create a better, more connected city for everyone, and bring down air pollution as we work on our goal to achieve net zero by 2030.

“If we are to meet these goals, as a city we need to continue the transition to sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport. Adapting key routes, such as the A4 Portway, will help us meet this challenge head on.

“And, now that we have opened a railway station at Portway Park & Ride and boosted the number of free parking spaces at this key site, there are more options for commuters and visitors to travel sustainably along this route.”

There are proposals for a new bus lane and and a reduced speed limit along the Portway – photo: Bristol City Council

The proposed improvements start at the M5 flyover, travel along the A4 passing the Avon Gorge and onto Hotwell Road to the Jacob’s Wells Road roundabout, then along Anchor Road, and up to Explore Lane.

The section from Hotwell Road, Dowry Place and Oldfield Place, including the Cumberland Basin flyover, is not being considered in the consultation due to this part of the route being part of the Western Harbour project.

Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, added: “Throughout the first round of early engagement, we found that bus users wanted to feel more connected to the north of the city with more frequent services to more areas.

“Many were in favour of longer operating times for the Portway Park & Ride service and thought bus lanes would make buses more reliable overall.

“People who walk or cycle along the route raised issues of narrow shared spaces on pavements, the quality of the surface, and questioned the speed of traffic.

“In response, we’ve put together a series of proposals that answer many of these concerns.

“At this point, we are not recommending a segregated cycle route on the road as there would not be enough space for this along with the 24-hour bus lane.

“However, where pavements are narrow, especially around bus stops, we are suggesting widening them to reduce potential conflict between cyclists and pedestrians.”

Views can be given through an online survey which is running until November 12. To find out more and complete the survey, visit www.bristol.gov.uk/A4Portway23   

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

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