More bus lanes planned for key Bristol road that connects to M32
Plans to install more bus lanes on a key Bristol road that connects the north of the city and the M32 are set to take a step forward today (Thursday, December 5). The second phase of works to upgrade Muller Road are set to be discussed by Bristol City Council[1]'s transport and connectivity committee today. The committee will be asked to approve proposals to submit an outline business case for nearly GBP1m in order to fund construction of the scheme.
It focuses on the bottom half of Muller Road, from the railway bridge by Shaldon Road down to Heath Road just before the M32 motorway. Proposals include creating sections of 12-hour bus lanes on both sides of the road as well as improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. If approved, a bus lane would be installed along the southern section of Muller Road from the railway bridge to Shaldon Road southbound and from Heath Road to Glenfrome Road northbound.
They would be in use between 6am and 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Plans also include new bus stops, installing a pedestrian crossing next to Fairfield High School and adding bollards between Shaldon Road and Elmcroft Crescent to limit through motorised traffic while allowing access for pedestrians and cyclists The first phase of the project, completed in December 2023, focused on the northern half of Muller Road[2], from its junction with Downend Road to Lidl.
It saw a new 24-hour inbound bus lane, bollards to limit through traffic on key roads, and new traffic signals installed as well as resurfacing works. It was funded by the Housing Infrastructure Fund from Homes England. Want Traffic and Travel updates sent directly to you? Sign up for our newsletter here[3].
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee, said: "Muller Road continues to be busy with people travelling between north Bristol to the M32 and the city centre. This has a big impact on bus journey times and can make them unreliable at peak times and a less attractive transport option. "There are also housing developments at various stages of construction across Lockleaze, which, when fully complete, will increase pressure on the already congested road.
Having completed the first phase of the transport changes on the northern half of Muller Road almost a year ago, we're now looking to move onto the next stage in our plans for the southern half. "We ran a public consultation on these plans earlier this year and since then have been working on the detailed designs. The plans would really help to make buses more punctual and speed up bus journey times through the area, while improving road safety for all."
This scheme is part of the Lockleaze Sustainable Transport Infrastructure project to help local roads keep up with future growth. Lockleaze is a growing neighbourhood with around 1,000 new homes planned for the area. The Transport and Connectivity Committee will also be asked to request that the West of England Combined Authority reallocate almost GBP2 million from the Muller Road project and put it towards improving the section of Concorde Way walking and cycling route that runs through Lockleaze.
The full amount of funding is no longer needed as the second phase of the Muller Road scheme has been reduced in scale since the initial public engagement in 2019. The funding for the second phase - which totals GBP988,000 - will come from the West of England Combined Authority Investment Fund. "The plans were scaled back because of concerns around the number of trees that would have been lost if the full scheme had gone ahead as originally planned.
This means there is now funding for Lockleaze, that has been agreed in principle, available that we can invest in the area. "We're keen to progress with the improvements to Concorde Way, which is a brilliant resource that we want even more people to use. By putting the right infrastructure in, to make walking and cycling safer and easier, it will relieve pressure on local roads while giving more people the benefits of being outdoors and getting exercise," added Councillor Plowden.
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References
- ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ completed in December 2023, focused on the northern half of Muller Road (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for our newsletter here (bit.ly)
- ^ Bristol Live (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Bristol Live (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)