Campaigners are celebrating after plans for a pedestrian and cycle path on the old railway line in Brislington were approved unanimously by councillors. Bristol City Council officers had recommended refusal amid fears it would scupper any future wider scheme currently being drawn up to alleviate traffic jams on the “A4 strategic corridor”, which might include public transport, such as metrobus, or a relief road.
But they failed to convince a planning committee on Wednesday (March 16) that granting permission for the temporary three-year active travel route on the “Tramway”, along with 50 shipping containers for local artisans, would “prejudice” alternative transport uses. Members approved two interlinked proposals for the Callington Road Link – one for the northern half from Sandy Park Road to Tramway Road, including the cargo units, by Meanwhile Creative, and the other for the southern section continuing beyond Talbot Road, by Greenways and Cycleroutes.
The first received 57 letters of support with 27 objections and the second was backed by 287 residents and opposed by 16. City council transport officers objected mainly because of the implications for bigger “multi-modal” plans but also because the southern route lacked detail, which means conditions over safety, surface material suitability and land contamination will need to be agreed before that section can go ahead.
