Bedminster and Redcliffe red route survey launches
This autumn, businesses and residents are being invited to have their say on proposals to introduce Bristol’s first red route in Bedminster and Redcliffe, which would help keep traffic and buses moving and address road safety issues caused by poor parking.
A red route would mean that parking restrictions are enforced using double red lines and on-site cameras instead of double yellow lines and parking enforcement officers.
Unlike yellow lines, red lines painted along the kerbside mean that stopping in a motor vehicle to park, load or unload is not allowed. Dropping off and picking up passengers is also not permitted, except by taxis or if the passenger is Disabled and has a Blue Badge. The rules do not apply to emergency services.
Loading, unloading, and parking would still be allowed for limited periods in new loading bays along the route that are signposted.
The proposed red route connects:
- Redcliff Street
- Redcliffe Roundabout
- Redcliff Hill
- Bedminster Bridge Roundabout
- Nelson Parade
- Bedminster Parade
- East Street between Dalby Avenue and Philip Street
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “A red route will help keep Bristol on the move, tackling congestion and making bus journeys faster and more reliable.
“Better public transport gives people a genuine alternative to driving, helping us create a cleaner city, improve air quality and build a better connected transport network that supports residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
Doug Claringbold, Regional Director of First Bus in the West of England, said: “We welcome measures to help keep bus lanes clear as this enables our services to move more freely across Bristol and the wider region.
“Effective enforcement of parking restrictions is an important part of making sure existing bus priority measures work as intended.
“Keeping bus lanes clear helps to speed up journey times and support punctuality, which benefits our customers and encourages more people to consider using the bus. This in turn reduces traffic congestion for all road users.”
Proposals for the red route are part of the council’s City Centre project across the Bedminster Bridges and Redcliffe Way schemes.
Since the council consulted on both these schemes in 2024, through the City Centre Transport Changes survey, the designs have been updated to include a red route.
The red route has been agreed in principle by Transport and Connectivity Committee, so the survey is focussed on working with businesses and residents along the route to shape and improve how it would work, including loading and parking restrictions.
The introduction of a red route would mean Bristol joins a long list of other towns and cities across the UK with red routes, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, Medway, Coventry and Reading.
The Bedminster Bridges and Redcliffe Way schemes are being funded by the UK Government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Find out more and fill in the survey by midnight on Friday 30 October 2026.
Drop-in event
Find out more about the plans and ask questions at a drop-in event at Bedminster Library on Thursday 30 September between 3pm and 6pm.
