A busy stretch of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path has closed to allow for the next phase of major improvement works there.
Work to upgrade the well-used path between Trinity Street and Clay Bottom began on January 31 and is estimated to finish this summer, as part of a project named One Path BS5. From today (Monday, March 28) the section of railway path between Russell Town Avenue and Johnsons Road will close, and will remain so for three weeks.
The access between Russell Town Avenue and Brixton Road, which had previously been closed, has reopened. This means that those wishing to access Russell Town Avenue or Lawrence Hill from Easton will be able to cut across the Railway Path via Easton Community Centre on Kilburn Street or from Brixton Road.
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The new closure will not impact those using the zebra crossing between Bruce Road and Johnsons Road but for approximately three weeks it will not be possible to cycle or walk from Easton to Lawrence Hill via the Railway Path. Sustrans has marked out a diversion route for pedestrians and cyclists who would usually use that route.
This could results in a slightly longer walk or cycle route for those who would usually use the Railway Path to access Lawrence Hill. The map produced by Sustrans shows the new diversion route but due to the size of the map and the markings, the street names are not visible.
The suggested diversion route shown on the map would mean exiting the Railway Path at Bruce Lane, continuing on to Alpine Road before turning left onto King Street until it meets Chelsea Park. After reaching the bottom of Chelsea Park you will need to turn left onto Chelsea Road which will continue onto Owen Street and then Kilburn Street before crossing over to Easton Road.
Once on Easton Road you will need to turn left onto Brixton Road which will allow you to get back onto the path in order to get onto Russell Town Avenue. Alternatively, Whitehall Road can be used but if the current three way traffic light system and cones are removed, the route will no longer be safe due to a narrow pavement that disappears where the road bends.
Sustrans' website states: "A diversion will be signposted between Brixton Road and Bruce Road. The section from Russell Town Avenue to Brixton Road will be open for access only. Access will also be maintained across Whitehall crossing."
There are also signs up along the relevant sections of the railway path giving notice of the diversions. The improvements are part of the ‘One Path BS5 Project’ which is a collaboration between Sustrans and Bristol City Council.
The project has taken shape after a series of workshops, surveys and in-person sessions with the local community, and aims to make the railway path from Trinity Street to Clay Bottom a safer, more inclusive space. Some of the improvements involve widening the path, improving visibility and increasing biodiversity.
Once the work is completed there will be separate lanes for those walking and cycling at Clay Bottom and St Philips Causeway Underpass. At junctions, there will be new markings to encourage cyclists to slow down.
More details about the improvement plans can be viewed here.
