Extension to m1 bus route for south Bristol moves to next stage
Plans to extend the metrobus m1 service in the south of the city have been given the go-ahead by members of the Transport and Connectivity Committee when they met on Thursday 10 July.
This means the full business case – that sets out detailed plans for the proposed extension of the route and the request to fund the £4 million project using Bristol’s share of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement – will be submitted to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The m1 service travels between Cribbs Causeway and Hengrove Park via Patchway, Aztec West, Stoke Gifford, UWE Frenchay Campus, Broadmead, the city centre, Bedminster, Inns Court and Hengrove.
The extension would see m1 buses travel on from Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, through the new housing development at William Jessop Way, along Hawkfield Road, and on towards the final stop at Imperial Retail Park.
Work to extend the route would also improve Hawkfield Road, including upgrading bus stops, and adding a two-way segregated cycleway and traffic calming measures to make it safer to walk, wheel and cycle along.
Depending on approval of the funding and the results of a statutory consultation taking place this autumn, construction work could start in January and be completed in September 2026.
Once finished, bus users would benefit from more stops along the m1 route, faster journey times, and an improved connection to the city centre.
Residents would also have a safer environment for walking, wheeling and cycling in the area, with the plans relocating some road space to cyclists and pedestrians.
The m1 remains an important route through Bristol, evidenced by thousands who use the service each week.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee
During the consultation last summer, we collected over 500 public responses to the expansion plans. Nearly 90 per cent told us they agreed with extending the route, 80 per cent also agreed with plans to install a pedestrian crossing on Hawkfield Road, as well as 70 per cent agreeing with a two-way cycleway being added.
If funding for this expansion is agreed, we look forward to seeing even more people choosing to travel by bus. The changes will provide more stops on the m1 route, safer environments for people using public transport by adding CCTV to each metrobus stop, as well as providing closer public transport links for Disabled people in the area.
It will also benefit the many residents living within the new housing development, as well as supporting plans for further development in the future. By creating new active travel routes, we are offering people an opportunity to make more sustainable choices when getting out and about.
Work to plan the m1 extension project has been funded by the UK government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
