A charity that promotes walking and cycling has welcomed plans to ban cars on College Green and Park Street.
Back in October, city mayor Marvin Rees announced plans to close Park Street to cars in his annual State of the City address.
And, according to documents published as part of a consultation into transport changes along the number 2 bus route, it appears the traffic ban could be extended to College Green.
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The consultation states that buses, taxis, motorcycles, bikes and HGVs would still able to access the city centre area.
Zoe Banks Gross, head of partnerships and public affairs for the south of England at Sustrans, has now spoken out in support of the changes.
She said: “Sustrans supports the proposed changes to College Green and Park Street in the consultation on changes to the Number 2 bus route.
"The re-allocation of road space with improvements for pedestrians will make the space easier and more enjoyable for walking and cycling. This will improve safety as well as air quality in the area and help Bristol meet its goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.
"Creating a space which allows for public transport as well as flows of people travelling actively will enhance this high street. This vital economic corridor could also see more footfall as a result of these changes.”
As part of the changes, the left-turn from Canons Road to College Green would be removed so the pedestrian crossing island could be widened.
A bus gate would be created at the top of Park Street and Berkeley Avenue would close to general traffic, with proposed new bus stops being installed at the top of Jacob Wells Road as well.
The consultation states that Park Street Avenue could be closed at both ends to stop rat running between Park Row and Park Street and to provide the opportunity for public space.
A widened footway on the east side of Park Street would be made, it continues, and parking moved to the west side of the street to make conditions safer for cyclists travelling down Park Street.
However, as Park Street is seen as a "pivotal section" of the number 2 bus route, a few alternative options are being proposed including installing a bus gate only restricting traffic inbound from the north or from the south.
You can express your views on the proposed changes on the TravelWest website here. The consultation closes on Friday (January 28).
To keep up to date with latest Bristol news, and discuss thoughts with other residents, join our Bristol City Centre community group on Facebook here. You can also sign up to Bristol Buzz, our brand new newsletter for the city centre, here.
