News / Transport
Work starts to improve ‘invisible’ bike lane through Centre
Contractors have started digging up a notorious bike lane through the Centre ahead of an upgrade.
The lane, which runs adjacent to St Augustine’s Parade next to the former fountains, will get a new surface of black tarmac as well as refreshed white lines and large bike symbols.
Transport chiefs at Bristol City Council hope the new black surface will make the bike lane easier to spot.
is needed now More than ever
The section of the route that will be resurfaced goes from the Cascade Steps, past the Neptune Statue, over Baldwin Street, running parallel with St Augustine’s Parade and finishing at the Colston Avenue crossing – photo: Martin Booth
The current tiny bicycle symbols are barely visible and the previous paving stones looked very similar to the adjacent footpath.
This meant that pedestrians often walked along the bike path, to the ire of cyclists having to swerve out of their way, as well as the unpleasant surprise of people walking to suddenly have a bicycle hurtling towards them.
Conservative councillor Graham Morris, vice-chair of the transport policy committee, said: “It’s great that we’re moving onto the next phase of works, which I am sure will be popular with many.
“The cycleway through this part of the Centre has long been a site of conflict, with pedestrians often walking along it or across it without realising it’s not a footpath.
“The new black surface and white lines will stand out, and we have the option to return later and add a red high-friction surface, which is set to be trialled elsewhere in the city.
“This will allow us to see the results of the trial, and how effective the black surface is, before committing to further works at Centre Promenade.”
The first bit of work has started at the section of cycle path next to St Augustine’s Parade – photo: Martin Booth
The section of the route that will be resurfaced goes from the Cascade Steps, past the Neptune Statue, over Baldwin Street, running parallel with St Augustine’s Parade and finishing at the Colston Avenue crossing.
It will also feature four crossing points for pedestrians.
These white lines and bike symbols will also be repainted further along the cycleway from the Cascade Steps to the Prince Street bus stop. The works are expected to take four weeks.
Two other bike paths in the city centre will soon be turned red as part of a trial to make them easier to distinguish from footpaths, at the Bristol Bridge and in between Castle Park and the Old Market roundabout.
Councillors considered making the cycling lane through the Centre red too, but were told this would delay the project from starting as contracts were already being worked on.
The fountains next to the bike path were recently removed and also replaced with black tarmac. Bristol-based artist Oshii will paint a large-scale piece of art on the floor here, although it’s unclear when this will happen.
Other work planned includes planting five trees, adding planters and installing two flowerbeds.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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