Bristol Live readers have been debating the proposed plans for a new cycle lane and expanded pavement in North Bristol, as part of the YTL Arena project. The arena, originally planned to be built next to Bristol Temple Meads, will now be constructed on the former Filton Airfield, over five miles away from the city centre.
This has sparked worries about increased traffic and accessibility issues. Cycling, on the other hand, would take 38 minutes.
Despite this, Bristol City Council is hopeful that some individuals will opt to walk or cycle to the arena, leading to a series of changes along Charlton Road in Brentry, a key route running south of the airfield. The council sought public opinion on the plans last spring, but it remains uncertain when construction will commence.
An update on the Charlton Road plans will be presented to councillors on the transport policy committee on Thursday, February 6.
DTodd believes: “Any competent administration would stop this white elephant being built and put it slap bang centre of the city centre redevelopment plans even if they had the transport problem sorted out but to hear the dreaded words cycle lane at this late stage is truly terrifying for the long term viability of an out of town arena. You get one go at this and they are getting it terribly wrong. If the galleries is going then you build the arena there and kick some life back into the centre which by the way is what every good forward thinking city in the country has done.”
Werburghs feels: “Dreaded words, cycling lane! How dare they use a cycle to transport themselves around pollution and noise free!”
Upsetter adds: “Parking restrictions and a cycle lane: Win-win.”
Kelvin weech writes: “Still talking about it! It’s about time the council got on with actually building it. Bristol is missing out of seeing major bands/artists because there are no venues large enough to entice them to play here. Bristolians are forced to travel to Manchester, Birmingham or London to see any decent band or artist, whilst council argue over trivial matters such as pedestrian & bike lanes. Enough already, get the bloody thing up & running.”
Berklicker says: “Trying to fill an arena with cyclists over the reality of most people wanting to drive there is an absolute joke. If they don’t provide adequate parking for that then this venue will fail. There is a rail line that runs adjacent to the site and if that isn’t utilised then the venue will fail. The football matches at Bristol City and Rovers are driven to and not cycled to are they? The parking in the areas is horrendous because no facilities are present. Long Ashton park and ride is empty on match days. They have an opportunity and if they blow it with cycle lanes and no parking it will become another failure and if you think otherwise you are wrong.”
Dbanderson comments: “What is needed is 1000s of car parking spaces for those arriving from the M4 and M5.”
Grockel1 mentions: “The Mall car parks can be utilised for this as the shops will be closed in the evenings.”
Berklicker disagrees: “No they won’t! The Long Ashton park and ride isn’t utilised for City matches is it? Correct me if I’m wrong because I see vehicles parked dangerously around the Cumberland Basin system every week.”
Downtowngirl adds: “Great, can you imagine riding a bike from South Bristol, and then back again (well that would not be too bad as it would be downhill on the return).”
Jubblyone4 says: “I’m delighted it’s nowhere near the centre of Bristol.”
Do you believe that a cycle lane is needed for the new arena? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.