It’s in reaction to five major schemes around the city
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman, WECA Mayor Helen Godwin and Bristol City Council deputy leader Heather Mack
Bristol Live readers have been reacting to five major transport projects set to transform how people move around the city. Key proposals include banning cars from Prince Street Bridge, improving walking and cycling facilities on Bath Bridges, and expanding the School Streets programme citywide.
Despite concerns from transport officials about potential congestion, Bristol City Council’s transport policy committee approved the bridge closure earlier this month. Pete Woodhouse, transport strategy manager, highlighted worries over access to Spike Island and the impact of ongoing roadworks at Redcliffe and Bedminster Bridges on traffic.
No traffic modelling has yet been conducted to predict the closure’s effects, though studies are planned before final approval. The project must be completed by March 2028 to meet the £500,000 Department for Transport grant deadline.
Other projects advancing include improved walking, wheeling, and cycling connections on or around Bath Bridges, linking Bath Road (A4) to the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. Around 20 cycle hangars are also planned to provide secure parking for residents’ bicycles near their homes.
The School Streets programme will expand, creating safer, traffic-free zones outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times, alongside initiatives encouraging sustainable travel.
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee, said: “We’re working to make it easier, safer and more pleasant to walk, wheel and cycle in Bristol. With more people travelling sustainably, we can cut congestion, improve health and wellbeing, and support the city’s journey toward becoming carbon neutral.”
The Department for Transport has awarded the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority £4.7 million, with an additional £160,000 from its Investment Fund for active travel projects across the region. Bristol will receive £2.3 million of this funding.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, added: “We all want better, safer walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the West for people’s everyday journeys. Active travel brings health benefits and cuts pollution, which we here in the West Country really care about. By improving walking and cycling infrastructure and fixing our roads and bridges, we’re laying the foundations for a better transport system overall.”
Commenter Figaro1785 says: “I would call them merely ‘transport projects’ as there is nothing particularly ‘major’ about them. Seriously, let’s have trams!”
Bearable thinks: “It all sounds good until you read the bit about ‘we haven’t done any traffic modelling to see what the effects will be’, the word chaos comes to mind!”
Dbanderson writes: “I drove through the city yesterday (yes I know I should’ve walked or e-biked). It’s a mess. The Old Market underpass closed, Bath bridge roundabout has road works, York Road is one way, A370 is one way, Totterdown Bridge is closed. You have to take a huge detour to get into Templemeads, the EBLN will start soon and Bedminster Bridge will soon be closed and messed with. Just do one at a time!”
J1ty2 agrees: “It’s the same old story in Bristol. Cut off the main routes into Bristol but don’t provide a ring road. When will this Council learn that piecemeal changes are merely a sticking plaster? A proper joined up infrastructure is needed.”
Dis1954 points out: “£2.5m for five major projects? It’s not April Fools is it? After they have employed outside consultants and moved some of that money to other budgets to cover losses, they will just about have enough for 10 metres of yellow lines and three more road blocking planters that no one wants.”
HanhamHeights replies: “This is £2.3 million of a specific central government grant for active travel, not a new local tax. It’s an investment with a huge return, considering the billions the economy loses to congestion and the cost to the NHS of air pollution. The alternative of doing nothing is far more expensive.”
IfanJoroc thinks: “Before they stop allowing cars across Prince Street Bridge, how about there’s some significant change made to the St Mary Redcliffe roundabout so when this change comes into play, it works for everyone? I’m all up for changes, but it needs to be positive for pedestrians AND cars. Due to the shoddy way public transport is in Bristol, some of us don’t have that choice and we shouldn’t be punished for that.”
Peterbed asks: “Why waste money on cycling and wheeling routes which are generally never used? By all means improve walking routes, but the Hartcliffe Way cycle path cost thousands, and I very rarely see any cyclists using it.”
LucyClarkKiwi suggests: “How about recessing all of the bus stops back off the road? Then those of us with no choice but to use a car, can continue our journeys unhindered, instead of being stuck behind a line of traffic, while a bus blocks the road.”
HanhamHeights replies: “That sounds logical on the surface, but there’s a major reason transport planners have moved away from recessed bus stops: they trap the bus. When a bus has to pull out of the main flow of traffic, other vehicles rarely let it back in. This makes the journey significantly slower and less reliable for the 50+ people on board, all to save the driver of a single car a 30-second wait. Prioritising one car over a bus full of people makes the bus service worse, which in turn encourages more people to drive, creating even more traffic. The bus isn’t blocking the traffic, it is the most space-efficient vehicle on the road. The actual blockage is the sheer volume of cars.”
Do you support Bristol’s new transport plans? Does there need to be a bigger overhaul? Let us know in the comments.