Update on changes to Princess Victoria Street

This follows a community engagement survey, which demonstrated strong support for reducing traffic, improving air quality and making walking journeys easier on Princess Victoria Street.

In response to this survey feedback, Clifton councillors have requested introduction of a trial scheme to restrict motor vehicle access to a small section of Princess Victoria Street between 11am and 5pm every day.

The changes will be made using an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) that can be in place for a maximum of 18 months. During the first six months, you will have the chance to make comments on the proposals. We will be closely monitoring the impacts of the scheme, including traffic levels on adjacent and alternative roads, and changes to walking and cycling levels in the area.
 
The scheme aims are:
•   make Clifton Village an increasingly liveable neighbourhood with less traffic congestion and pollution, placing a greater emphasis on walking, cycling, and safety for children
•   make Princess Victoria Street a more attractive destination for shopping, eating, and leisure in the post-pandemic era
•   help meet our ambitious target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 and deliver cleaner air across the city.

Please see overleaf for detail on the survey results and information on the trial scheme.
 
Engagement 

Throughout 2020, Bristol City Council used temporary barriers to create more space for pedestrians and cyclists across the city, including on Princess Victoria Street, in response to the pandemic and social distancing measures. Building on this work, we launched a survey with the Clifton community in December 2020 to find out how we could further improve walking and cycling journeys in the area. 

The engagement was open for six weeks from Monday 7 December 2020 to Sunday 17 January 2021. People were asked what they liked about the street, what they would improve and what would they prioritise. People were also asked to comment on proposals to widen pavements or to close the section of Princess Victoria Street between the Mall and Clifton Down Road.

The survey received 907 responses. The full report is available at www.bristol.gov.uk/princessvictoriastreet

The top four priorities for respondents were “more outdoor space for café/restaurants”, “cleaner air”, “more greenery/planters”, and “wider pavements”.  In addition: 
•    68% agreed or strongly agreed with the suggestion to “widen pavements” on this
stretch of the street
•    56% agreed or strongly agreed with the suggestion for “a daily timed closure”
•    53% agreed or strongly agreed with the suggestion for “a full closure”
  
Trial timed road closure
The feedback from this survey, along with additional engagement with local businesses, community groups and local stakeholders, has been used to inform designs that support the Clifton councillors’ campaign for pedestrianisation.
 
An experimental road closure is due to be implemented on this small stretch of Princess Victoria Street on Saturday 14 August.
 
This will:
•    provide a safer, cleaner shopping and leisure environment
•    allow hospitality businesses to trade outside
•    improve journeys for pedestrians and cyclists
•    enable installation of seated areas for people to stop and rest
•    enable installation of cycle parking
 
The changes will include: 
•   Motorised vehicles will not be able to access Princess Victoria Street between Waterloo Street and Clifton Down Road from 11am until 5pm every day. This timing has been revised from initial plans for a longer closure, following feedback from local businesses.
•    Only pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use this stretch of Princess Victoria
Street.
•    The one-way system on this section of Princess Victoria Street will be reversed.
•   Traffic will travel eastbound, towards Clifton Down Road, while the road is open to motorists between 5pm and 11am.
•    During the closure hours, traffic will be able to access the rest of Princess Victoria
Street via Sion Hill.
•    New planters, cycle parking and seating will be installed in the pedestrianised space.
•    Businesses will also be able to apply for a licence for outdoor trading.
•   Parking on this stretch of Princess Victoria Street will be removed to enable outdoor trading and the installation of outdoor facilities.
•    Ramps to provide wheelchair and pushchair access will be installed in the
pedestrianised space.
•   Lockable bollards will be used to implement the timed road closure. These will be removed during the times the road is open to motorists, and if the emergency
services need access.
 
These changes to the road layout are shown on the map below:

The changes are being funded by the government’s Active Travel Fund. We will continue to collect feedback and we welcome your views as part of the statutory consultation for the ETRO.
 
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let us know using the contact details at the top of the letter.