News / Transport
New images show major changes to city centre streets
New images show how major changes to city centre streets over the next two years will look.
The Horsefair in Broadmead will be pedestrianised, with access to most vehicles restricted, alongside several other huge transformations to the city centre’s transport network.
Construction on the majority of the schemes is due to start in spring.
These are funded by a £540-million government grant called the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), most of which must be spent by March 2027.
Serious disruption is expected while they are ongoing, leading to Bristol City Council creating a new website full of details about the three major transport projects.
These cover the city centre, the Portway, and the route of the number 2 bus along the A37 and the A4018.
An update on the works was given to councillors on the transport policy committee on Thursday.
Major plans for the city centre will see The Horsefair closed off to most vehicles – photo: Betty Woolerton
Green councillor Ed Plowden for Windmill Hill, also chair of the committee, said: “We need to prepare for our ongoing success as a city and all the extra journeys that our growing population will bring. We know there will be some disruption as we deliver projects that the city needs.
“Our new website, Bristol on the Move, is a one-stop-shop to find out more about our three main transport corridor projects funded by CRSTS, how construction work could affect journeys, and how you can access incentives like free bus vouchers and bike loans.
“The website will make it easier for people to understand what’s happening and why.”
Buses will be re-routed next April and will no longer use the Horsefair, Penn Street or Union Street. Once construction work is finished, some bus services will start to use Union Street again.
“Works to restrict access to the Horsefair and Penn Street are due to begin next summer.
A new video on the website includes images of the Horsefair, as well as Union Street too where a new bike lane is planned and most vehicles will be restricted.
“An express bus route is planned down Union Street, across a new road past Primark linking up to the Bearpit and Bond Street.
The video also shows new bendy buses. These are being explored as part of a study into how a mass transit system could be rolled out across the wider West of England region.
Articulated buses are longer than normal ones, allowing for passengers to get on and off more quickly.
An interpretation of how Union Street could look – image: Bristol City Council
A new bike line is planned for the street which will be temporarily closed to buses – photo: Betty Woolerton
In the city centre, the plans include changes to Redcliffe Roundabout and the Bedminster Bridges Roundabout, more than three kilometres of new bike lanes, bus lanes, and changes to Temple Way and Bond Street.
All of these changes are aiming to encourage more people to walk, cycle or take the bus instead of driving, known as “modal shift”.
This is because the population of Bristol is growing, and the city centre around Broadmead is due to become more residential, with hundreds of new flats planned.
Bristol already suffers from terrible congestion, and transport bosses believe the best way to address this is providing a better alternative to driving.
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main image: Bristol City Council
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