‘Delays likely’ at Bedminster Bridge this week as traffic lights improved
Road users have been advised to expect delays at a busy Bristol junction as works are carried out this week. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians might notice longer waits than usual at Bedminster[1] Bridge from today (Monday, August 21).
Bristol City Council[2] is working to improve the traffic signals there and expects the project to take three days to complete, ending on the evening of Wednesday, August 23. Improvements include the replacement of the traffic signal controller - an electronic device placed at intersections to control the sequence of traffic[3] lights.
During the works, the traffic lights on the Bedminster Parade/Coronation Road side of the bridge will need to be turned off from this morning (Monday) until Wednesday evening. However, the rest of the lights on the roundabout will remain active.
A council spokesperson said: "To make it safer for pedestrians to cross the road, the council is reducing the number of lanes on the approaches to and on the roundabout. Bedminster Parade will be reduced to one lane approaching the roundabout and Coronation Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
"Portable pedestrian signals will be in place on Coronation Road to help pedestrians crossing two lanes of traffic. Signs will also be in place to guide drivers.
"Some delays in the area are likely. Thank you for your patience while we carry out these necessary works."
The council said the traffic signal controller has 'reached the end of its service life'. Last year Travel West, which advises of traffic issues in the Bristol region, notified road users on several occasions[5] about the traffic signals failing at Bedminster Bridge.
The bridge, which runs over the New Cut, is not the only one the council is currently working to improve. There is also disruption at the Bristol Bridge end of Baldwin Street[6], which is expected to continue until the end of October as part of a £1.4m improvement project.
Further along the river, Gaol Ferry Bridge is set to reopen on Friday, September 8[7] after major repair work on the dilapidated footbridge, which began back in June 2022. Meanwhile Redcliffe Bascule Bridge is also set to fully reopen this month[8], after a multi-million pound refurbishment to ensure the lifting mechanism can function.
Earlier this summer council inspectors also acknowledged 'serious areas of concern which need repair' at Vauxhall footbridge, the Banana footbridge, Bath[9] bridge roundabout, and Sparke Evans footbridge. A five-year repair programme is being planned[10].
References
- ^ Bedminster (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ traffic (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Bristol shopping centre plans on hold amid planning controversy (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ several occasions (twitter.com)
- ^ disruption at the Bristol Bridge end of Baldwin Street (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ set to reopen on Friday, September 8 (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ also set to fully reopen this month (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Bath (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ five-year repair programme is being planned (www.bristolpost.co.uk)