Proposed new cycling and walking infrastructure from Parkway Station to Cribbs Causeway

Background 

Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils are working together to improve cycling and walking facilities in the area. They have submitted a bid for funding to the Department for Transport which is available for sustainable travel across the country and aims to support economic growth and reduce carbon emissions.    

For more information on this funding stream called the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) and our bid, visit: http://travelplus.org.uk

The first phase of this bid has been successful and provides funding to South Gloucestershire Council to improve cycling and walking infrastructure in three areas between Lockleaze, Parkway Station and Cribbs Causeway.  

A final decision on the second phase of the bid is expected in June 2011.

 Purpose of Scheme

The project is designed to reduce car-based commuting on six key commuter corridors across the West of England.  In South Gloucestershire, actions to improve the alternatives to driving will focus on the Bristol North Fringe area providing missing links of cycle and pedestrian routes and building on the infrastructure delivered through the Cycling City project – completing a link between the residential area of Lockleaze and the employment locations in the North Fringe via Bristol Parkway Station.

Proposed Scheme

The proposed works include:

  • Widening of existing footways to shared cycle / pedestrian use
  • Improved crossing facilities - including dropped kerbs, tactile paving and zebra crossings
  • Street lighting improvements 
  • Clear direction signing at key decision points and regular guidance markings

The proposed route runs north east from Bristol Parkway Station on quiet residential roads into Royal Park and Forty Acres, Stoke Gifford.  From here the route emerges onto Gipsy Patch Lane via Bush Avenue.  North of Gipsy Patch Lane alternative design options are being developed towards Highwood Road, Patchway - along Station Road and via Lawford Avenue, Rossall Avenue and Little Stoke playing fields.  Linking with the Northfield development in Patchway, the route continues to The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, via Pegasus Road.  Improvements are also planned in Coniston Road, Patchway to improve the safety of existing crossing points and link Highwood Road directly with Cycling City Route 4.

Timescale

The following work towards this scheme is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2012 subject to a public consultation over the coming month:

  • upgrading existing facilities between Bush Avenue and Station Road, including new street lighting
  • widening footways to shared use along Pegasus Road, Cribbs Causeway

The remaining elements of the scheme are programmed for completion during 2012/13.