A majority of people back a plan to pedestrianise the Horsefair and ban taxis and buses from the city centre road. But Bristol City Council has pledged to add more disabled parking spaces around Broadmead, after getting feedback from the public about the radical transport plans.
These include turning the Bedminster Bridges roundabout into two separate bridges and a signal-controlled junction; banning taxis and motorbikes from Union Street; and changing the Redcliffe roundabout. The public were consulted on the plans in August and September.
More than 2,000 people responded to a survey, with 59 per cent in favour of pedestrianising the Horsefair; 60 per cent new walking and cycling routes over Bedminster Bridges; and 56 per cent in favour of changes to the Redcliffe roundabout. In total, 66 per cent were in favour of new crossings at Temple Way, and 58 per cent were in favour of new bus lanes on the east end of Bond Street.
Green Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport policy committee, said: “These proposals are a vital part of a wider vision to adapt to changing shopping and leisure habits and prepare for major housing developments in Broadmead, which is set out in the Bristol City Centre Development and Delivery Plan.
“I am really pleased the plans have been welcomed and are generally supported. The feedback has been really useful and means we can refine our designs, so they work better for everyone. I am especially pleased that we’ve looked again at the location of disabled parking spaces and are planning ahead to make sure numbers are maintained throughout the construction phases.”
Access to the Horsefair will be kept for emergency vehicles and deliveries at quiet times of the day. Bus stops, disabled parking bays and taxi ranks would be replaced elsewhere. Bus routes will be diverted down Fairfax Street, which runs underneath the Galleries shopping centre.
But disabled people were less likely to agree with the proposals, due to concerns the city centre would become harder to access for people who rely on buses and cars. The council is working with the West of England Centre for Inclusive Living to explore potential solutions.
As well as adding more disabled parking spaces, the plans will be updated with more crossing points that are level with pavements, and separating bike lanes and pavements with different surfaces. The council will consult on the designs again, as part of the process of issuing traffic regulation orders, which are legally needed to make changes to the roads.
Cllr Plowden added: “We are committed to making sure that the city centre remains vibrant and welcoming for all, and I would like to thank everyone who got involved in the consultation and gave us their invaluable insights.”
The changes will be paid for by the government, through a giant pot of money known as the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. This can’t be spent on day-to-day services like collecting bins, and is solely allocated for making it easier for people to walk, cycle or take public transport.