Region: Bristol

In January and February 2025, the council shared updated designs for the central section of the number 2 bus route. This is part of a multi-million pound project to improve the number 2 bus route along the A37 and A4018 from Henbury to Stockwood.

Proposals for the central section of the route – from Queens Road to College Green – include introducing wider pavements, new cycle paths, extended bus lanes, and a series of new public spaces.

The plans show that drivers would still be able to access Park Street via St George’s Road, where they could travel up or down the road and exit in the normal way. However, through traffic would be fed along Park Row or Anchor Road, to make Park Street a more pleasant environment and encourage people to spend more time supporting the businesses.

The changes aim to increase the number of trips made by bus, walking, wheeling and cycling by speeding up bus journey times and making active travel safer and easier, while encouraging people to spend more time in the area by creating new and inviting public spaces.

These updated proposals have been submitted to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, to request the funding to build the scheme. If approved, the council would then hold a statutory consultation on the plans.

Depending on the outcome of this process, work could start on site in summer 2026 and take around 18 months. It would be completed in phases to reduce disruption.

In the meantime, some elements of the scheme are being refined based on suggestions from local businesses, residents and key stakeholders. This includes allowing some residents and businesses who have older vehicles to drive through the proposed bus gate at the top of Park Street for the first year after it is introduced, to avoid the Clean Air Zone. Other adjustments are also being considered.

Work on the number 2 bus route has started nearby, including upgrading the College Green and Canons Road junction, which was brought forward as the traffic lights were outdated and likely to fail.

Construction work, to prevent flooding and create cycling routes and more accessible pavements, also started on a stretch of Whiteladies Road in July 2025.