Major changes to roundabout could make route safer

Artist impression shows the possible changes to Bedminster Parade

A roundabout connecting South Bristol to the rest of the city could soon be turned into a signal-controlled junction.

The Bedminster Bridge roundabout would become two separate bridges, with the western one reserved for buses and the eastern bridge for general traffic.

The changes would speed up bus services, and make the bridges safer for people cycling and easier for people walking to cross over.

Some pavements would be made wider, and the Nelson Parade car park would be removed to make more space for pedestrians, cyclists and buses.

Bristol City Council is consulting the public on changing the roundabout to a signal-controlled junction. Residents have until 30 September to respond.

The consultation also includes many other changes, including two miles of new cycling lanes a new express bus route, and pedestrianising the Horsefair in Broadmead.

General traffic coming down Bedminster Parade towards the bridges would no longer be able to turn left onto Coronation Road, and similarly, traffic coming down Commercial Road would only be allowed to turn left onto Redcliff Hill, and not access the bridges at all.

Traffic coming down Redcliff Hill would only be allowed to cross over the bridge and access Bedminster Parade and Coronation Road, but not York Road.

Changes could be made to Bedminster Bridges, as shown in this artist impression

Traffic coming down Clarence Road would be able to access Redcliff Hill and Commercial Road, but not cross the bridges.

Similarly, traffic coming down York Road would be able to access Bedminster Parade and Coronation Road, but would not be able to cross the bridges.

New two-way cycle lanes, segregated from pedestrians, would be built across both bridges, along the west side of Redcliff Hill, from Commercial Road to Clarence Road, and along York Road.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the roundabout is currently dangerous for cyclists to ride on, without using the pavement.

The pedestrian crossing on Redcliff Hill near the Mercure Hotel would be improved and made wider, while the underpass will be filled in.

Two single-stage pedestrian crossings on Commercial Road and Coronation Road will replace the four separate crossings that are currently taking a long time to traverse.

The pavement in front of Bedminster Library will be made wider, as this is a busy route for pedestrians.

Green Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and policy committee said:

“These plans are transformative and will impact almost everyone who travels to, or through, Bristol city centre.

“By investing to make bus travel quicker and more reliable, and active travel safer and easier, we can help decarbonise our transport network which would have so many benefits, not least helping people to travel more actively while cutting congestion and pollution on our roads."