News / bristol city council
Road set to be reopened to cars despite reservations
A short section of road in Bristol that has been closed to cars since 2020 is likely to be reopened, despite apparent reservations from the city council’s own officers.
The closure of the southern end of University Road to motor traffic at its junction with Queen’s Road was enacted under a temporary traffic regulation order during the pandemic.
Bristol City Council subsequently made the measure permanent in 2022 “based on the benefits of uninterrupted pedestrian priority at this location”.
But – according to a council document – “the Administration (now) considers the benefits not sufficient to support its continuation and that the prohibition of motor vehicles is no longer a proportionate response at this location”.
“In that connection, it is proposed to re-open the road to motor traffic between Queens Road and Elmdale Road to secure expeditious, convenient movement of motor traffic.”
In proposing the reopening of the road to motor vehicles to the detriment of more vulnerable road users including pedestrians, council officers admit that it “is not in line/in accordance with current local and national policy/traffic hierarchy”.
The junction between University Road and Queen’s Road has been closed to motor vehicles since 2020 – photo: Martin Booth
If the proposed changes – outlined in full here – take place, University Road would become one-way northbound from Queen’s Road to Woodland Road.
The steep road off the Clifton Triangle next to Browns restaurant is well-used by both Bristol Grammar School pupils, and University of Bristol students and staff.
The council’s Statement of Reasons document says: “Whilst it is acknowledged that prioritising motor traffic is not in line/in accordance with current local and national policy/traffic hierarchy; the Administration considers it is justifiable at this location.”
University Road is used by Bristol Grammar School pupils and University of Bristol students – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Cotham Hill pedestrianisation praised by Active Travel England
- Is Bristol gearing up to become a 15-minute city?
- Area next to Cabot Circus transformed in new ‘car-free’ billboard
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