To build a more inclusive and connected city, Bristol must tackle the challenges surrounding travel. With high levels of traffic congestion and harmful air pollution levels, there’s a sense of urgency to tackle these issues to improve public health.

Establishing an improved transport system which is accessible to everyone in Bristol is equally critical.

Over the next 10 years Bristol City Council and West of England Combined Authority are proposing to introduce significant improvements to key transport routes across the city.

This is an ambitious project to improve how people travel across the city along key transport routes, making it easier to connect people to jobs and leisure opportunities, anticipating a growing population and supporting the city’s health and economic growth.

The aim is to make it easier and more convenient to use the bus, walk and cycle wherever possible, rather than use private cars.  This project aims to make walking and cycling more attractive and to give priority to buses through infrastructure improvements.  This would reduce air pollution to improve the health of everyone.

Over the last few years cycling and walking levels have remained high compared to other major cities and Bristol had seen growth in bus use. The current Coronavirus pandemic has presented extra challenges – bus travel has, by necessity, substantially reduced during the lockdown.  At the same time cycling has seen a significant increase.

Without significant investment in walking, cycling and bus infrastructure it will be difficult to encourage people to drive less and only use cars when essential, particularly as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.  Investment is needed to tackle high levels of traffic congestion and reduce levels of air pollution.

The scheme will support other transport initiatives such as LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans) which will focus on improving walking and cycling routes in the city, the Parking Strategy which will review parking in the city. The West of England Combined Authority Bus Strategy that sets out improvements to bus travel across the region, the Bristol Transport Strategy and future proposals for a Bristol Bus Deal and mass transit.

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Improvements for bus travel

Buses provide essential access to education, jobs and other facilities and they play an important role in connecting people and communities. Over the next 10 to 15 years Bristol and the West of England authorities have committed to developing and improving bus services as a priority for the city in partnership with First West of England.

At the current time West of England authorities are working with bus operators on a recovery plan once travel restrictions and social distancing due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, are relaxed.  This project looks at the longer term aspirations to grow bus travel to improve journey times, increase passenger numbers and expand the network.

What is proposed?

The scheme will look to help buses get through junctions quicker and provide more space for cyclists to give them protection. Priority will be given to main roads to help keep buses moving and side roads will benefit from less turning movements and rat running to improve the neighbourhood environment.

We will be working on one route at a time.

We are now looking at launching early engagement on improving bus journeys and the walking and cycling environment along the A4 Portway route.

Initiated projects

Below you can find links to individual projects that have already been started.

What are the routes?

The Transport Routes which will see improvements are shown on the map. They have been prioritised as follows:

• 1st priority is the red route – A37 to A4018 route which follows the no. 2 bus route
• 2nd Priority is the orange route – Hengrove/Hartcliffe on the A38 to Cribbs Causeway which follows the no.75/76 bus route
• 3rd Priority is the yellow route – A4 route
• 4th Priority is the green route –A432 to Emersons Green / Lyde Green which follows the no. 48/49 bus route
• 5th Priority is the light blue route – Southmead through Eastville to Ashton Vale which follows the no 24 bus route and Hengrove through Filwood Park to the Centre which follows the no 90 bus route
• 6th Priority is the dark blue route – M32 route
• 7th Priority is the purple route – A370 route
• 8th Priority is the pink route – A420 and A4 routes

How will this project be funded?

The West of England Combined Authority has allocated £15m until 2023 with a further £15m, allocated from 2023 until 2027. The West of England Combined Authority March 2020 committee approved the £1.5m to commence feasibility, engagement and design for the first phase of schemes.

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