News / Transport
Mayor wades into road closure row
A row has emerged over the 12-month partial closure of a commuter route which crosses the M32.
Stoke Lane, which connects Broomhill with Uwe and Filton, will be only open to southbound traffic while the road is widened for the new MetroBus lane.
Road users and local residents have launched a campaign to keep the road open in both directions due to congestion.
Bristol mayor George Ferguson has also weighed into the debate, criticising MetroBus, which is being delivered with the approval of Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils, for a lack of consultation and calling for a pause in the works.
But MetroBus said that the closure is necessary to avoid a further nine months of work and a possible £1 million delay.
The one-way restrictions, which have already been approved by both councils, are due to come in on April 24 for approximately 12 months.
.@allgutsnoglory I’m appalled at lack of consultation re Stoke Lane one-way proposal. I’m calling for one month’s delay to consider options.
— George Ferguson (@GeorgeFergusonx) April 12, 2016
Stoke Lane crosses the M32 next to Stapleton Allotments, which environmental campaigners fought to keep from being tarmacked.
The MetroBus will travel up the M32 on a segregated lane and cross the motorway on a segregated bridge before joining Stoke Lane.
The new bus route, which is due to be running in early 2017, will cut journey times for bus users across the city.
Campaigners say the works to Stoke Lane will cause further misery for road users in the meantime.
Stoke Lane Action Group said: “Enough of the destruction that MetroBus has caused to green belt land, eight weeks of road works at Broomhill and the endless queues morning noon and night, enough of the endless building of new estates and roads on green areas on the edge of our city. As residents it is time that we are listened to.”
A spokesperson for MetroBus said: “With the one way system in place, the works will take approximately 12 months to complete.
“With the current traffic lights and shuttle working arrangements, the works will take approximately 21 months, an extra nine months to complete, traffic disruption would be spread over a much longer time period and could result in additional cost to the councils of up to £1 million due to the delays to the works.”
The spokesperson added that drop-in sessions will be held to answer questions about the closure.
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