New mysterious road markings have appeared on streets in Bristol, leading many people to question what their purpose is.
New red blocks have been painted on roads in the city centre this week, emerging on streets including Baldwin Street, High Street and St Augustine's Parade. The latter even features a cycle symbol causing some road users to believe its a new cycle path.
The new road layout has been painted to highlight how private cars are not permitted to drive down Baldwin Street and over Bristol Bridge, Bristol City Council has confirmed.
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A spokesperson from Bristol City Council said: “Bus lanes in the central area of the city have been re-surfaced with red high-friction road surfacing to help emphasise new road layouts, in particular those associated with the restrictions to general through-traffic on Bristol Bridge.
"The new surfacing and markings will help motorists better navigate the city centre and support the prioritisation of bus routes, making it easier for people to catch the bus, walk and cycle. Where bus lanes run all the way to a junction the advanced stop line, common at junctions for cyclists, will also be marked red.”
The council introduced new traffic priorities to restrict general through-traffic in the Bristol Bridge area in August 2020. Pedestrians, cyclists and buses were given permanent priority in a city centre after a trial with a goal to improve air quality was deemed successful in July 2021.
General traffic was prevented from using Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street in Bristol in an effort to "accelerate" the pedestrianisation of the old city. At the time, Mayor Marvin Rees said: "I am delighted to make the change permanent."
Have you spotted these new road markings? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
