The junction at Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street could soon see a major redesign with a new cycle path.
A two-way cycling lane would be created along the bridge, joining up with the existing lane on Baldwin Street. Traffic would be reduced from three lanes to two, while pavements around the junction would be made wider.
New designs for the junction were revealed by the Bristol Labour group on social media, and a full business case will be signed off by Bristol City Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, September 6. The proposed changes were welcomed by cycling campaigners.
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Bristol Cycling tweeted: “We support this scheme which will significantly improve the area for walkers and cyclists by taking away road space from motor vehicles and providing safe walking and cycling space. It will be even better when the link along Victoria Street to Temple Gate is built, but we understand that this part is being brought forward early because the traffic lights need replacing.”
Bristol Bridge shut to general traffic in 2020, when a new bus gate was introduced limiting the road to buses, taxis, motorbikes and bicycles. The changes were brought in to cut carbon emissions and air pollution in the city centre, caused by cars and lorries. The route has temporarily reopened while works take place on the currently closed Redcliffe Bridge.
The works on the junction include replacing traffic lights, which are ageing and at risk of failing. Traffic lights on Bedminster Bridge were recently not working after a fault, and the council took more than a week before fixing them due to a shortage of parts. It’s unclear when the works on Bristol Bridge will begin.
A cabinet report said: “Bristol Bridge is an important junction in the city centre, with key walking, cycling and vehicle routes converging on one of the main access points over the floating harbour.
“Following the decision to restrict general through traffic in August 2020 to improve air quality and allow bus prioritisation, the traffic flows in the area have dramatically changed. This project is to update traffic signalising and physically remodel the junction to realise those benefits for other users, in particular pedestrians.”
