New bus gate planned for main city route

Plans to close a main city road to through traffic and prioritise buses have been released by the council.

The Bristol City Council proposals would see a bus gate introduced at the top of Park Street along with new bus lanes to improve journey times.

The council also wants to make Queens Road one lane in both directions, turning half of the current road layout into public green space.

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee said: "We need to make significant changes to our road network if we are to meet Bristol's environmental targets and respond to the travel needs of a growing population."

Funding for the scheme has come from central government.

Pavements on Park Street will also be widened, new cycle paths added and some pay and display parking will be removed.

After the consultation process, construction on the road changes could begin by the end of the year.

First Bus, who run bus services in Bristol, said many routes which use Park Street often encounter delays due to traffic congestion.

Head of network for First Bus in the West of England, George Burton said: "The scheme to improve the road layout and prioritise buses through this busy part of the city is essential for us to run punctual timetables.

"We need to make bus journey times competitive against other modes if we are to promote sustainable travel in the city.

"These plans, along with other investment into bus infrastructure on key bus routes across the city, will help us to achieve these aims."

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