Broadmead lighting, sails structure and food kiosks to be removed ahead of junction transformation
Preparatory work will take place this June on and around Union Street’s junction with The Haymarket and The Horsefair, including removing the Bristol Shopping Quarter sails, to make way for the area to be remodelled.
Work will start on Monday 1 June, when foundations for new street lighting will be installed so the existing lights around the junction can be removed. Temporary lighting will be set up in the area. Sections of lane on The Haymarket may need to close overnight throughout the works, but the road will remain open to through-traffic.
The initial works also include removing three tall streetlights around the junction overnight on Monday 8 June. Some lane closures may be needed, although these will be avoided where possible.
Work to set up the public space at Union Street’s junction with The Haymarket and The Horsefair will start on Monday 8 June, ahead of the Bristol Shopping Quarter sails and two empty food kiosks (formerly the Cornish Bakehouse and Rana’s Dhaba) being removed. The pedestrian crossing may be closed at times, so a temporary crossing may be needed.
The work has been coordinated to allow this part of the Bristol Heat Network to be installed underground in this area, ahead of the council starting work to remodel the junction.
Planned changes include reconfiguring the pedestrian crossings, adding a two-way separated cycle route, introducing a two-way bus-only route along Union Street, creating new public spaces with paving, seating and planting, and reducing traffic on high footfall streets.
The plans are part of the council’s wider Broadmead project to transform public spaces and roads, to make the city centre more welcoming ready for major redevelopments that will see an extra 5,000 people call the city centre home.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “This is about preparing Broadmead for the future. As the city centre grows and more people make it their home, we need public spaces and streets that support everyday life, reliable bus services and safe, attractive ways to get around, while revitalising Broadmead as a thriving retail hub and cultural neighbourhood. Removing structures that no longer serve the area will give us the space we need to deliver a better connected, more liveable city centre.”
The long-term vision for Broadmead is set out in a short video.
Overnight road closures will be needed to remove the sails and mast structure safely. The Haymarket, travelling south-westbound from St James Barton Roundabout to Rupert Street, and entry onto The Horsefair, will be closed each night from Sunday 14 to Thursday 18 June, between 9pm and 6am.
The diversion for The Haymarket closure will be via Marlborough Street, Upper Maudlin Street, Perry Road, Park Row, Queens Road, Triangle West, Triangle South, Queens Road, Park Street, the A38, and Colston Avenue.
Many bus services will be affected by the overnight road closures, including the 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 48x, 49, 49x, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77, FAL, T1, Y1, Y2, m1, m2, m3 and m4.
Keep up to date with changes to buses at TravelWEST.
Pedestrians will need to follow onsite instructions as the work area will be fenced off.
Businesses on The Horsefair and Penn Street may experience temporary restrictions while access onto The Horsefair is closed and are being asked to reschedule overnight or early morning deliveries. Where this is not possible, businesses are asked to email [email protected].
Councillor Plowden added: “This is a busy area, especially for people crossing the junction, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we complete these important preparatory works.”
The Broadmead project is funded by the UK Government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The timing of these works depend on external factors, so could change. Keep up to date at www.bristolonthemove.com.
