Work to revitalise the public space, known as Centre Promenade, in the city centre is starting towards the end of January 2025 with the removal of five London plane trees, which run alongside Broad Quay, that have outgrown their raised planters.

This is part of the wider project to create more usable space for the harbour market, events, and people travelling through the busy centre between the Neptune statue and the Cascade Steps.

The decision to remove the five trees follows on from a consultation held from 20 November to 18 December 2024.

After the trees have been removed, the planters will be repaired and five Judas trees will be planted in them. These are small blossoming trees that are more suited to growing in a contained space.

The London planes, planted in 2000, have outgrown their shallow planters and do not have enough room for their roots, which are pushing out of the planters and damaging them. Not yet fully grown, if the trees are left they could become unstable, posing a risk to people in the area.

Removing these mature trees is a last resort but it needs to be done as they should not have been planted in these shallow planters, which are unsuited to such large trees. We will be replacing them with trees that have pink sprays of blossom in the spring, which should be a lovely addition to the centre.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee

The felled trees will be processed into woodchip and used to fuel bio-mass boilers in various buildings, including some public buildings like schools and leisure centres.

The trees cannot be replanted elsewhere as they are so big that, to remove them safely, they need to be felled in sections. Rebuilding the planters around the trees has also been discounted as the roots are entwined within the cladding of the planters and would need to be cut back, which would damage the trees putting them at risk of falling.

In February work will take place to install platforms over three sets of steps, that run alongside Broad Quay in between the raised tree planters, so they can be used as space for extra concessions, including street food.

This will be followed by work to fill in the three sunken fountains and remove the wooden decking so the whole promenade area can be covered with the same light coloured surface. This phase of the project is expected to be completed in April. Throughout this time the middle of Centre Promenade will be fenced off. The harbour market is aiming to operate in a flexible way around the works site. The cycle track to the side of the work area will remain open and pedestrian routes will be signposted.

It will be great when the work is complete and we have a level surface with new seating and planting. It will mean there is more room for events and people travelling through the centre, which will take much of the pressure off these competing needs. The changes will make Centre Promenade more spacious, vibrant and safer for everyone.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee

Once the construction work is complete and the fencing has been removed, the new surface will be covered with a large-scale 2D artwork, designed by artist Oshii in conversation with Bristol communities.

As part of this project, the council is continuing to review the cycle route through Centre Promenade and is still considering options to make it more visible, to reduce conflict between pedestrians and cyclists. Work to resurface the cycleway is expected to take place in the spring or summer.

The Centre Promenade improvement project is being funded by Bristol City Council.

The council is working with Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District and Bristol Legacy Foundation on the artwork project. This is being delivered as part of the City Centre and High Streets programme funded by Bristol City Council and West of England Combined Authority.

To find out more and keep up to date with the works, visit www.bristol.gov.uk/centreprom.

Original press release by Bristol City Council