News / South Bristol
Designs for Bristol’s latest liveable neighbourhood unveiled
Roads across south Bristol could soon look very different as Bristol City Council has laid out plans for its latest “liveable neighbourhood”.
The aim of the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (SBLN) is to make BS3 safer for pedestrians and cyclists, while also encouraging people to use cars less.
Under the council’s first designs, based on 2025 feedback, dozens of modal filters, a network of one-way roads and an expanded residents’ parking zone (RPZ) could be introduced across a swathe of inner south Bristol.
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Issues being tackled include cut-through traffic, speeding, commuter and matchday parking around Ashton Gate Stadium, narrow pavements, and poor cycling infrastructure.
Ed Plowden, green councillor for Windmill Hill, said the hope is to make south Bristol “a safer and healthier place to live, with quiet streets that are less congested and polluted”.
It follows a similar project in Barton Hill, Redfield and St George, which proved extremely controversial.
The South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area is divided into 11 sections – image: Bristol City Council
The scheme is being funded by a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) grant and council unallocated transport improvement funds from 2023.
An eight-week consultation on the early designs began on Thursday, with three specific areas being prioritised: Southville, Bedminster and Totterdown.
In Southville, the council plans to install 12 modal filters to prevent cut-through traffic, including one to close the road outside Ashton Gate Primary School on Ashton Gate Terrace.
The idea is to reduce the speed and volume of traffic near schools, such as Ashton Gate Primary School, to improve safety and make walking more pleasant – photo: Betty Woolerton
Southville is one of three target areas the council will focus on first – image: Bristol City Council
There also could be a filter placed at the end of Gathorne Road near Parsons Bakery and Rare Butchers on North Street.
The consultation aims to make south Bristol’s high streets more attractive, safer for cyclists and pedestrians and better for local businesses – photo: Betty Woolerton
Modal filters are bollards, planters or cameras, which prevent cars passing through while allowing access for walkers and cyclists – image: Bristol City Council
For East Street, which is already partially pedestrianised, the council’s long-term vision is for full pedestrianisation with buses moved to Dalby Avenue. However, for now, the gateways at either end would be improved, and an enforcement camera would be installed to enforce the existing bus gate.
Totterdown, with its steep hills and narrow pavements, could see a new bus gate on St Luke’s Road and a modal filter on William Street between the Shakespeare and the Sundial Kitchen.
New one-way rules for vehicles would be introduced across “most of Totterdown” to prevent stand-offs and reversing.
There are also big changes afoot to parking rules, including a “matchday parking scheme” to limit commuter and visitor access to the area and to regulate parking during matches and events at Ashton Gate Stadium and on surrounding streets.
This would be similar to an RPZ, which limits parking during certain days and times, granting priority to residents, disabled drivers, car club vehicles and local businesses.
Southville and Bedminster East already have an RPZ, and this zone would be expanded across the entire SBLN area, operating on weekdays from 9am to 5pm at a minimum.
Proposed measures to “improve community space” across the SBLN area include more trees, “parklets”, bicycle parking and hangars, electric vehicle charges, car club bars and e-scooter and e-bike shared parking areas.
Barton Hill is part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbhourhood Scheme – photo: Betty Woolerton
The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, which launched in October 2024 as a trial, left some communities feeling excluded from decision-making.
On Thursday, Bristol24/7 reported that recent research identified inconsistent information and vague language as issues surrounding the scheme.
Addressing this, Plowden explained this time around the council is “taking all possible opportunities to learn from previous projects in the city, observe how these schemes are being introduced elsewhere in the country and gather as many views as possible to evolve designs to meet the community’s needs”.
Helen Godwin, WECA metro mayor, added: “Your voice needs to be heard in this consultation – whether you live or work in south Bristol, or if you visit, including City and Bears fans heading to Ashton Gate every other week.
“People’s feedback over the next eight weeks will be a key part of how the combined authority assesses this bid.
“Lessons need to be learned from the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial and other similar projects here in the west.”
Actual changes to roads Southville, Bedminster and Totterdown are expected to be installed from late 2026 and completed by the end of 2027.
The rest of the SBLN area will be consulted on and delivered as part of phase two of the project from 2027 onwards.
The consultation is open until October 30. Find out more and have your say via: www.bristol.gov.uk/ask/find-consultation-engagement/consultation-engagement?id=247.
Main image: Bristol City Council
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