January opening for Metrobus South Bristol Link
The South Bristol Link is to open in January – with work on Hartcliffe Way for the new Metrobus route to start at the same time to help traffic flow.
This follows concerns from local residents and businesses about potential traffic problems when work starts on Hartcliffe Way.
MetroBus is a joint venture between Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils. It is a rapid public transport system designed to quickly transport large numbers of people around the area by using segregated busways and bus lanes.
The South Bristol Link is a 4.5km express bus route and roadway that includes new cycle and pedestrian paths along its length. It runs between the A370 in Long Ashton and Hengrove Park.
In a statement a spokesperson for Metrobus said: “Following a series of drop in sessions for local residents and businesses we’ve made a number of changes to the previously-advertised diversion route to address the concerns that were rasied.
“These changes include allowing HGVs to travel northbound on Hartcliffe Way as normal, with the diversion route used for southbound HGVs only. This will significantly reduce the amount of additional traffic on the diversion route.
“In addition, we’ve decided that the Hartcliffe Way diversion will not be put in place until after the new south Bristol Link Road has opened…
When the South Bristol Link has opened, Hartcliffe Way will no longer be the A4174 and that designation will move to the new link road. This means that Hartcliffe Way will no longer be the recommended primary route into the city and traffic will instead be directed to the South Bristol Link.
“This will have the effect of reducing HGV movements on Hartcliffe Way and will provide an alternative to HGVs using Bishopsworth Road and Whitchurch Road while the diversion is in place.
“Additional changes have been made to the traffic management plans to improve access for residents and businesses while the diversion route is in place. Full details will be published soon.”
For more information visit: https://travelwest.info/metrobus
