Region: Bristol

A major project designed to reduce the risk of flooding along the lower section of Whiteladies Road, while also improving walking, wheeling and cycling routes in the area, has been completed.

The stretch of road, which runs from the bottom of Whiteladies Road up to just before the junctions of Tyndalls Park Road and St Pauls Road, has suffered from localised flooding across the full width of the street.

On top of addressing these issues, work included fixing the uneven and narrow space on the pavements created by mature tree roots, to make it easier for people using wheelchairs or pushing buggies or prams to use the pavement. 

A new brand-new cycle path, complete with new drainage and a repaved pavement, has been installed on both sides of the road. 

After onsite investigations into underground drainage issues were completed in January of this year, further improvements were completed, with work including:

• raising the driveways of six private properties using like-for-like materials
• repaving the pavements and increasing their height, to reduce the impact of the tree roots
• adding rubber crumb around the trees
• resurfacing the road

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “I am pleased to see the improvement works along the lower section of Whiteladies Road completed. This stretch of road has experienced significant localised flooding over the years, particularly during periods of extreme weather; something that is unfortunately becoming more common because of the climate crisis.

“While the work has taken longer than expected, this section of one of Bristol’s busiest roads is now better prepared for the future. I’m also glad that we’ve been able to retain the beautiful mature trees that line the street, while making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get around.

“I’d like to thank residents and road users for their patience throughout the works, particularly during the more disruptive periods. I’d also like to thank the local property owners for their support during this project, allowing us to change their driveways to help make sure this key street takes another step towards climate resilience. 

“This project was designed to fit in with plans, which are not being taken forward, to improve Park Street and the Triangle but I hope we will be able to improve connectivity for active travel along these routes in the future”

This project was funded using the highways maintenance block allocation from the UK government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Original press release by Bristol City Council