Popular cycle path set to reopen after five years

The Concorde Way cycle route is due to open by May 2026

A popular cycle path which was initially only supposed to close for six months four years ago is finally set to reopen.

Legal & General shut the route along Concorde Way in Lockleaze, Bristol, in 2021 while 185 homes were being built.

The cycle path was expected to reopen in December, but Legal & General has confirmed that it not fully reopen until May 2026.

The firm apologised for the inconvenience caused, and said the cycleway closure will remain in place for safety reasons.

Green councillor David Wilcox, who represents Lockleaze, said while he understood L&G's safety concerns, he also shared the frustrations felt by cyclists who used the route.

Mr Wilcox said: "We're very disappointed - this has taken far longer than we expected to actually deliver this development."

Signs around Concorde Way have advised cyclists to get off and walk

The Local Democracy Service previously reported that the path between Bonnington Walk and Constable Road was used by about 1,000 commuters every day.

Mr Wilcox said the cycle route was closed before he was first elected as councillor and that he has since been re-elected.

"We're really disappointed because we really want the strategic cycle route to be open and we also want to deliver some improvements onto Bonnington Walk, which we can't do until the development is complete.

"Active travel is really important to me and the council and it's a really important goal to do it.

"That's why we're also developing an extension of the strategy for Dovercourt Road and helping cyclists get along that particular section as well."

Last year, the Bristol Cycling Campaign published an open letter to Legal & General calling for the route to be reopened by July 2024.

A spokesperson for L&G said: "Whilst the construction of the remaining works progresses, the interface between the cycleway and the apartment buildings has meant we need to keep in place the cycleway closure to ensure a safe environment to this area."

The developer said that by November 2025, the diversion through Wordsworth Road will be re-aligned, allowing cyclists to use the newly constructed site road.

Reconnection to the cycleway will occur near the proposed community building, with cyclists emerging at the junction of Constable Road.

Subject to Bristol City Council's final approval, construction on the crossings at Bonnington Walk and Constable Road is expected to begin in early 2026 and could take about 12 weeks.

The full reopening of the cycleway from Bonnington Walk to Constable Road is expected in April or May 2026.