Bristol City Council is now preparing a full business case for approval
Bedminster Bridge roundabout, which connects Bedminster and Redcliffe, over the New Cut River Avon(Image: Google Earth)
A project to transform the Bedminster Bridges is a step closer to reality. Bristol City Council completed preliminary works, including cutting down 15 trees on either side of the river, in March.
The authority is now preparing a full business case to secure full funding for the project, which is estimated to cost at least £13m. If that is approved by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA), one of the busiest junctions in South Bristol will be fundamentally altered, with people travelling by bus the main beneficiaries.
Construction will hopefully begin in late autumn, according to Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of BCC’s transport and connectivity committee.
“Investigatory and preparatory works, funded using the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, took place between February and March,” he said. “We are continuing to develop a full business case to secure further funding for the Bedminster Bridges project.
“If successful, we hope to begin construction in late autumn. This would follow and be coordinated with National Grid works in the area to upgrade Bristol’s electrical infrastructure, which includes installing high‑voltage cables.”
Construction was originally due to begin in the spring, but that has been pushed back due to the unexpected complexity of the project.
A detailed plan for changes to the Bedminster Bridge roundabouts, Bedminster Parade and Redcliff Hill(Image: Bristol City Council)
If the full project gets the go-ahead from WECA, Bedminster Old Bridge will become two-way for buses and taxis only, and Bedminster New Bridge will become two-way for general traffic, in a move the council hopes will speed up bus travel. Plans also include introducing separate cycle paths, quicker crossings and more pavement space for pedestrians, and planting around 50 new trees.
The CRSTS is a £540m grant funding allocation from central government to WECA for transport improvements. The Bedminster Bridges transformation is part of a wider City Centre project that is split into 5 areas.
Broadmead, Redcliffe Way, Temple Way and Bond Street are also set for major overhauls over the coming years, with a similar focus on improving public transport and making journeys better for pedestrians and cyclists.
Projects funded by the CRSTS must be completed by March 2029.
The full Bedminster Bridges project project going ahead is contingent on WECA approving funding. Although this is often a formality, earlier this year metro mayor Helen Godwin demonstrated she was willing to go against the wishes of Bristol’s elected representatives when she blocked plans to effectively ban traffic from Park Street.