Bristol Science Park road names honour for scientists

Backers of the science park say it will create 6,000 jobs

Road names at a £300m science park in Bristol are to be named after local scientists including Edward Jenner.

It is a joint project between the South West Regional Development Agency, three Bristol and Bath universities and developer Quantum.

Organisers say the site, near Emerson's Green to the north of the city, will create 6,000 jobs.

Jenner Boulevard is named after Edward Jenner who pioneered the smallpox vaccination.

Mr Jenner lived in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, and trained in Chipping Sodbury as an apprentice to a surgeon.

Others to be honoured include Dr Elizabeth Blackwell in the naming of Blackwell Common.

Scientific breakthroughs

Bristol-born Dr Blackwell was the first woman to graduate from medical school in America.

Theoretical physicist Paul Dirac, scientist Dorothy Hodgkin and science lecturer Richard Feynman have also been honoured with road names.

Chief executive Bonnie Dean said: "The West Country is home to some major scientific breakthroughs that changed the course of humanity, such as the invention of the vaccine and insulin.

"By naming the roads after these scientists, we want to show that this area has a long history of scientific research and is an ideal location for a new community of scientists who are developing new ideas that could shape the next generation and beyond."

Work at the National Composites Centre building at the science park is due to be completed in May, while the SPark One buildings are due to be completed in August.