Road to reopen to cars despite mayor’s promise

Just six months after Marvin Rees said that it would not reopen to cars, a popular walking and cycling route is set to be allowed to be used again by motor traffic.

Plans to remove the roadblocks from the bottom of Avon Crescent have sparked road safety fears as well as concerns over an increase in pollution.

Three years following its closure, Bristol City Council is planning to reopen the road after repair works are finished on the Chocolate Path later this year.

Avon Crescent – whose residents were evacuated on Saturday morning due to the fire at Underfall Yard – will become a one-way road for cars driving eastbound from Merchants Road down to Cumberland Road.

Campaigners and local councillors are warning the move would make it more dangerous for the many people who walk and cycle along the road.

But council bosses say planned new bus gate restrictions further down Cumberland Road will lead to a steep drop in traffic.

Long-held plans, as part of metrobus, to turn Avon Crescent into a “shared space” with no pavements are now also formally being scrapped.

It comes after Rees said in October 2022 that the council were not planning to reopen the road, saying that Lib Dem councillor Andrew Brown had “set hares running” by asking him a question.

In a video from the council meeting, Rees appears to confer with head of the mayor’s office, Kevin Slocombe, before replying to Brown’s query about whether Avon Crescent will be reopened once the Chocolate Path repairs are completed.

“I’m just as confused as to where you got that idea,” said Rees. “We’re not planning to reopen it (Avon Crescent). Is that something that you are hearing or are you just asking a question?”

After Rees turned off his microphone, lord mayor Paula O’Rourke added: “I think the answer is no. The road is not going to open.”

Bristol City Council’s development control B committee will vote on whether to grant the council permission to scrap Avon Crescent’s shared space plans on Wednesday.

In planning documents, a council officer said: “It’s no longer considered appropriate to make any further changes to Avon Crescent.

“The road has no impact on operation of the metrobus services and the original design of a shared space is now contrary to government advice.

“The proposed bus gate on Cumberland Road will significantly reduce the level of traffic using Avon Crescent when compared to before the Chocolate Path repair closure, meeting many of the objectives for changes to the road.

“The closure of Avon Crescent currently in place for the Chocolate Path repair work will cease in early 2023 and it is proposed that the bus gate come into effect at the same time.”

Avon Crescent is a popular walking route for rugby and football fans heading to Ashton Gate on Bears and City matchdays – photo: Martin Booth

The bus gate is planned for just east of the junction with Gas Ferry Road. This will see traffic restrictions stopping drivers travelling eastbound, instead allowing only buses, taxis, bicycles and motorbikes.

Transport planners are aiming to stop commuter traffic coming in from North Somerset, freeing up the road from any congestion for a more reliable metrobus service.

Drivers will still be allowed to travel westbound along Cumberland Road.

The original proposals for a shared space on Avon Crescent were included in the plans for the metrobus m2 service, running from Ashton Vale to the city centre.

This would have seen no separation between pedestrians, cyclists and motor traffic, with buses and cars encouraged to drive at very slow speeds.

After criticism, the government has recommended that councils do not build these sorts of schemes any more, due to road safety concerns.

However, for the past three years Avon Crescent has been shut to through traffic.

Temporary roadblocks were installed at the south-eastern end of the road, with the junction at Cumberland Road.

These effectively turned the road into a cul-de-sac, blocking any cars, buses or lorries from driving through, but maintaining access for residents and deliveries.

The street has since become increasingly popular with people walking and cycling around the Floating Harbour, due to the lack of traffic.

……………………………………

Read more: Mayor’s office want road reopened to cars to provide ‘most direct route’ for drivers

……………………………………

Campaigners are warning that any increase in traffic, if the roadblocks are removed, could “create unnecessary danger” to pedestrians and cyclists.

Writing to the council, a spokesman for Bristol Cycling Campaign said: “Avon Crescent is a key walking and cycling route enabling people to walk from one side of the harbour to the other.

“For many people, walking or cycling around the harbourside is a frequent journey. Many, many cycling and walking journeys use Avon Crescent every day.

“The footway on the east side of Avon Crescent is very narrow and totally unsuitable and inadequate for the amount of pedestrian traffic now using the road, particularly on a weekend. There is no footway on the west side of Avon Crescent.

“Fully reopening Avon Crescent will create an unnecessary danger to pedestrians and cyclists. Motor vehicles can currently gain access to this road and they do not need through access.”

Newly elected Green councillor Patrick McAllister, representing Hotwells & Harbourside, added: “I share concerns of residents who feel their safety and health will be imperilled by reopening Avon Crescent to traffic.

“The route is now more fully integrated as a walking and cycling route, and this newfound use of the road would be in all likelihood wiped out if it reopened to traffic.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Underfall Yard trustees ‘committed to rebuilding’ after fire
• Chocolate Path could reopen within months
• ‘Safety concerns’ over revised plans for Avon Crescent junction

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: