Improving accessibility along the A4 Portway
The second phase of a project – to reduce congestion, improve the reliability of buses, and promote active travel along a major transport route in Bristol – will get underway from Monday 16 June 2025.
This phase of work will see pavements improved along the A4 Portway, some of which are shared by pedestrians and cyclists. It includes:
- widening and resurfacing pavements
- re-aligning kerbs
- improving street lighting along the route
Construction work is expected to take up to nine months and follows on from the first phase of the project, which included carrying out essential maintenance, such as drainage works, along the Portway.
Access for pedestrians and cyclists and all road users will be maintained throughout, but lane closures, reduced speed limits, and temporary walkways will be needed at times.
It’s fantastic that after all of the planning, public engagement and refining of the plans, work is starting to make it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle along the Portway.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee
This initial work is part of a multi-million project that will see this main route between north and south Bristol upgraded so it works better for all road users, including people travelling by bus.
It complements our ongoing work to remodel the entrance to Portway Park & Ride, to allow access to buses travelling from northwest of the city, which is progressing well and on schedule to be completed towards the end of this year.
Moving to a network that prioritises sustainable transport, such as buses and cycling, has many benefits for us as a city, including less congestion, cleaner air, a boost to the local economy, as well as improving health outcomes for those who travel more actively.
However, for people to change the way they travel, we need a more reliable bus service that doesn’t get caught up in traffic, along with safer and more attractive routes for people to walk and cycle along. This project is just one of the ways we’re investing in our transport network to help make this a reality.
The council is holding a 21-day statutory consultation from 27 June on the third phase of the A4 Portway transport corridor project, which includes sections of 24-hour bus lanes, reducing some speed limits, and improving junctions along the route.
Following this, if the plans are approved, construction work on phase three is expected to start early in 2026, which also includes resurfacing the A4 Portway. These works are programmed in to take up to 14 months.
The A4 Portway transport corridor project is being funded by the UK Government as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
This funding is to help tackle congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the environment, as well as support the growth of the local economy by connecting people to education and jobs. It cannot be used for ongoing road maintenance or on other council services, such as housing or waste collections.
Work at Portway Park & Ride includes widening and reconfiguring the bus junction, adding more wayfinding, installing a pedestrian crossing next to the bus junction, and resurfacing the area. It is part of a separate project that is also being funded by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
