Proposed schemes in Bristol & South Gloucestershire

By the end of the Cycling City project there will be nearly 50 new cycle paths and 25 'pinch points' improvements to make it easier for cyclists in the Greater Bristol area.

A number of cycle paths have already been completed. Below you'll find information on the routes proposed for Bristol and South Gloucestershire until March 2011. 

• Pinchpoints contraflows

Work began in June 2009 with representatives of the cycling community to identify the top 25 opportunities to make Greater Bristol's cycling network more coherent and legible. The aim is to unblock existing barriers or pinch points, identify desire lines that may become 'contraflows' and resolve the other top identified issues. The first five of these have been designed and consultation began in early 2010. The remained pinchpoints will be designed and consulted upon in during 2010/11.

• Inner East Bristol 20mph speed limit

A large area in Inner East Bristol has been designated as a 20mph speed limit zone. Slower traffic speeds in these areas will help new cyclists to feel more confident on the road.

• Baldwin Street (CRISP)

Baldwin Street is a strategically important road linking the centre to Castle Park and the Bristol to Bath Railway Path (to the east) and Frome Greenway (to the north). Work will begin in 2010/11 to carry out the recommendations of a recent stakeholder review.

• Eastville Park path improvements

Following work carried out in 2009/10 further work will continue in 2010 to construct a 120m access ramp from Eastville park to Broom Hill. These improvements are part of other improvements to the Frome Greenway which links the Northern fringe with the city centre.

• Frome Route Stapleton Road

A 3.2m-4m shared use footway/cycle path with priority crossings will link a major radial route from the city centre to St Pauls, Millpond School, Easton, Fox Park, Eastgate, Eastville Park, Frenchay, UWE and Avon Ring Road. Work is expected to start in Autumn 2010.

• Hengrove Park

With the first phase of South Bristol's Hengrove Park being constructed it will soon become a significant destination in Bristol, incorporating a hospital, college and leisure centre. Cycle routes to open space at the east of this development are crucial in getting people accustomed to visiting this new development by bike. This project will be finished as the Hengrove Park development site nears completion.

• Greater Bristol Bus Network (Cycle Route Implementation and Stakeholder Plan)

As part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network, improvements for buses will be delivered on two arterial road corridors – Fishponds Road and Whiteladies Road. Bus improvements have also been shown to benefit cyclists. The routes will be audited with cycle stakeholders so that the bus improvement proposals can be carried out in a way that creates enhancements for cyclists.

• Malago Greenway uplift

With investment in new infrastructure to the south of the city on Hartcliffe Way and around the new Hengrove Park development, improvement works will take place on the Malago Greenway to highlight the connectivity of the route, enhance the environment and repair sections of the path.

• North Bristol route (St Werburghs to Northville)

This major radial route will provide easy cycle access to the northern fringe of Bristol, which includes the University of West of the England, a major retail centre and a number of major employers. Phase I of this route opened in June 2009 and Phase 2 was finished in March 2010. A new bridge for Dovercourt Open Space and traffic calming on Constable Road in Lockleaze is planned for Autumn 2010.

• Saltwell Viaduct

This route is located in the south of Bristol, running from the Whitchurch Railway Path to Whitchurch village. This route will improve the cycle connection between Bath & North East Somerset and the south of Bristol.  The concept of this route is to create a linear route through the viaduct and conservation area along the brook. This will prove important for both leisure and commuter trips. This is planned for winter 2010/11.

Connect 2 Projects (in association with Sustrans):

• Ashton Court

A new route will be created linking Kennel Lodge Road to Ashton Road along Ashton Court Estate boundary at the bottom of the hill.

• Clanage Road Toucan Crossing

A new toucan crossing on Clanage Road will link the new route from the Create Centre to Ashton Court.

• Cumberland Basin Floating Harbour Crossing

Investigations are progressing into the restoration of the Brunel Swivel Bridge and the construction of a new path linking the Create Centre to the Brunel Lock.

Aspirational projects

As with all construction projects, prices for services and materials can fluctuate by hundreds or even thousands of pounds. To ensure that an appropriate amount is spent on infrastructure projects there are several back up schemes that Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils can consider if necessary. These are:

• Greville Smyth Park link

A new, low-level route to connect Ashton Avenue Swing Bridge with the existing toucan crossing of Clift House Road would improve access to Greville Smyth Park.

• Bristol Bath Railway Path Extension (land negotiation)

A new link to connect the Dings Railway Path with Bristol to Bath Railway Path, via land which is currently owned by a 3rd party, would improve access. Funding to facilitate the land acquisition required for construction of this route would transform travel to and from Bristol Temple Meads, taking full advantage of the new Meads Reach Bridge.

• Frenchay Park - junction with Broom Hill

There is an aspiration to improve and extend the Frome Greenway by removing the current pinchpoint. 

• Albert Road link

This link would provide easier access to NCN route 3 which runs parallel to the River Avon and Bath Road.

• St Phillips Causeway

Some 200 cyclists a day cycle over the St Phillips Causeway. The available highway width could allow for wide cycle lanes in both directions if the speed limit is reduced to 40mph from 50mph.

• Parkway Station to Cribbs Causeway (Route 2 - between Parkway Station and B4057)

This route will link The Mall Shopping Centre at Cribbs Causeway to Parkway Station using a series of quiet roads and an improved network of cycle paths.

• Henbury to Cribbs Causeway (Route 5)

Introducing new cycle infrastructure to create a continuous cycle route between Henbury and Cribbs Causeway

• Bradley Stoke to Cribbs Causeway (Route 6 - via Northfield, to the east of the A38)

Making infrastructure improvements to create a continuous cycle route between Bradley Stoke and Cribbs Causeway

• Parkway Station to Patchway (Route 13 - via Filton, sections either side of the Northfield development)

Building a combination of on and off road cycling facilties to link Parkway Station and Patchway via the A38.

• Links to Warmley & Cadbury Heath schools

Creating links to and from the Bristol to Bath Railway Path to improve access to local schools by bike

Downloads: 

20 pinchpoints contraflows

20mph speed limits

Callington Road

Castle Park and Centre Links

Frenchay Park Road

Frome Route Stapleton Road

Greater Bristol Bus Network

Muller Road to Dovercourt Road

Northern Route Dovercourt Road to Bonnington Walk

St Philips Easton Way

Temple Gate

Temple Meads to Centre

South Gloucestershire infrastructure proposal (6mb)