Junction changes may 'worsen conflict' with cyclists

The junction where Anchor Road, College Green and St Augustine's Parade meet in Bristol. Pedestrians are crossing Anchor Road, while cars wait at lights on the other side of the road. The Marriott Hotel can be seen in the distance - and there are several nearby takeaways. — Image caption,
The junction of Anchor Road, College Green and the City Centre.

Alex Seabrook

Local Democracy Reporting Service

15 February 2025

Planned changes to a city centre junction could "worsen conflict" between cyclists and pedestrians according to a local councillor.

More than £1m will be spent on changing the layout of the junction at College Green, Anchor Road and St Augustine's Parade in Bristol.

The pavement will also be widened in places and there will be less space for vehicles outside the Marriott Hotel.

Councillor Nicholas Coombes said: "There's lots of pedestrians, lots of cyclists get annoyed with them because they want to be moving quickly, and there are people trying to be on both sides of the cycle path and both sides of the road."

The pedestrian crossing on Anchor Road outside the Marriott Hotel in Bristol. The crossing is empty, but a pedestrian approaches from up the hill. The hotel sign is clear to see behind the retaining way. Several sets of traffic lights are also in shot. — Image caption,
More than £1m will be spent on the changes to the junction

Adam Crowther, head of city transport, said: "It has been looked at in detail and we've gone round lots of different options. I don't think there's a perfect solution in that location, due to the space available and all of the movements happening through there."

In other areas new planters will be installed on the pavement and the road to funnel pedestrians onto crossings.

However, Mr Coombes said "The introduction of vegetation to the east makes the conflict worse."

He suggested moving the stop line for cars coming down onto Anchor Road further back, to create more space for pedestrians. But it was stated that this would reduce the junction's capacity and add to road safety issues.

A detailed map of the proposed changes to the road layout at the junction of Anchor Road, College Green and St Augustine's Parade in Bristol. New, wider pavements are indicated and the position of new planters. — Image caption,
The proposed changes have been met with opposition

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the junction's yellow box - which was described as one of the "most abused in the city" - with drivers often ignoring the rules and subsequently clogging up traffic and the bike lane.

Mr Crowther said "Enforcing yellow boxes is quite challenging. Some of the older yellow boxes may not be ideally designed."

It was also acknowledged that the traffic lights at the junction are out of date and need upgrading.

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