Have your say on Cumberland Road inbound traffic restrictions

Bristol City Council is planning to install a new bus gate on Cumberland Road to the east of Gas Ferry Road. The proposed bus gate on the inbound lane would help buses reduce journey length and improve the reliability of bus travel.

Photo: The Council's proposed changes to Cumberland Road

The bus gate will restrict private vehicle access and maintain the reduced traffic flow as result of the current highway works and would benefit the Park and Ride M2 Metrobus service by prioritising public transport over private vehicles. 

When launched later this year, the new bus gate will mean that only buses, cycles, taxis and motorcycles will be able to enter the central areas of the city using the Cumberland Road.  All vehicles will still be able to leave the city using this route.

Photo: The proposed new traffic flow along Cumberland Road

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Buses regularly experience delays along this route. This change means; a quicker service for passengers into the city centre, helping make bus travel more attractive and offer an alternative to private vehicle drivers who may be affected by the upcoming implementation of the Clean Air Zone by the end of the year.”  

The proposals, currently undergoing consultation with local residents and businesses, include:

• An inbound general traffic restriction via a bus gate on Cumberland Road that would stop general traffic from travelling eastbound/inbound into the central area, but still provide access for buses, taxis, motorcycles, and cycles   

• The bus gate would be to the east of Gas Ferry Road so access would be retained to the SS Great Britain from both directions   

• Westbound/outbound traffic would remain unaffected by the proposals   

• An alternative route would be provided) via Hanover Place, Sydney Row, and Mardyke Ferry Road.  This well signed “escape route” would enable people who drove restricted vehicles inbound by mistake up to the bus gate to loop back out the way they came without being penalised. The parking bay on Sydney Row (close to the junction with Hanover Place) would be removed to make it easier for large vehicles to go around the corner

• The existing eastbound/inbound bus lane and bus priority traffic signal equipment would be removed and the current parking bays just east of Gas Ferry Road would be extended with appropriate parking, waiting, and loading restrictions put in its place 

The council is hosting two drop-in events where members of the public can find out more and have their say on these plans:

• Bedminster Library 10am to 2pm, Wednesday 29th June

• Create Centre 10am to 2pm, Thursday 7th July

People can also find out more and share their views online by visiting www.bristol.gov.uk/CumberlandRoadConsultation. 

The online survey closes on Friday 29 July.