There are some bold ideas for the junction
Phil Norris Editor, Gloucestershire Live
10:55, 29 Nov 2025
The ‘Sands’ area of Brislington, could be Bristol’s widest residential stree(Image: Bristol Post)Need to Know: Calls for Changes to Bristol’s Widest Street
The Location: The focus is on an unusually large road junction in the Brislington area of Bristol, known locally as “The Sands,” where four residential roads meet.
The Quirk: This junction is strikingly wide—up to 30 meters across at one point—making it potentially the widest residential street in Bristol, contrasting sharply with the city’s typical narrow Victorian streets (which are usually 6-7 meters wide).
The Current State: The vast, open space created by this junction is currently just a large expanse of tarmac with no clear purpose, despite being located in an area that lacks public green space or trees.
Historical Context: The unusual width is partially due to the space having historically contained a memorial cross, which was later removed, leaving the large area of empty road.
The Campaigner: Local resident Charlie Palmer initiated the movement, stating that the current space has “no real use” and encouraging his neighbours to consider how it could be improved.
The Proposal: The idea is to reclaim the unnecessary tarmac and convert it into a vibrant, open public plaza or community space—potentially allowing for outdoor seating in front of local businesses like the famous Tarr’s ice cream shop.
The Test Run: To demonstrate the potential changes, Palmer organized a community event where he used temporary cones and barriers to mark out the proposed public areas, showing that the transformation could happen without blocking local traffic flow.
The Status: This initiative is entirely a resident-driven discussion starter; it is not currently an official plan being undertaken or funded by the Bristol City Council.
Full story: Calls for changes to Bristol’s quirky ‘widest street’