News / Transport
Work to begin on major alterations to city centre junction
Preparatory work is set to begin by the end of February ahead of a major scheme that Bristol City Council bosses say will “transform” a busy city centre junction.
The ambition is to reduce traffic in “pedestrian priority areas”, improve bus services, and make routes safer and more appealing for walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the wider Broadmead scheme.
Three trees will be removed during the initial works as “a last resort”.
Plans for Union Street’s junction with the Haymarket, Lewins Mead and Rupert Street include:
- Redesigning the pedestrian crossing
- Adding two-way separated cycle paths, going north to south between Union Street and Lower Maudlin Street, and from east to west on the Haymarket and Lewins Mead
- Introducing a two-way bus-only route along Union Street
- A new left-hand turn from the Haymarket for access to the Horsefair and for buses to access Union Street and travel southbound (previously only northbound)
- A new right-hand turn junction to allow buses heading north from Union Street to join the Haymarket from the bottom of Union Street
- Retaining the right-hand turn for buses heading south from Lower Maudlin Street to join Bridewell Street from the bottom of Union Street
- Improving public spaces, including planting new trees
- Reducing traffic on streets with high pedestrian numbers
Looking towards the Bearpit from the end of Union Street – image: Bristol City Council
Three silver maple trees will be removed during the initial works in order to make space for the scheme and allow for a section of Bristol heat network to be installed.
In response to the removal of the trees, Ed Plowden, chair of the transport & connectivity committee, said: “We respect trees, especially ones of their size and maturity, and so removing these three trees is a last resort.
“However, having looked at every possible alternative, we think it is the best option.
“Our environmental assessment shows that on balance there is a greater gain to be had by taking our plans for the area forward, which includes planting more new trees.”
Main image: Bristol City Council
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