Bristol City Council has announced the rollout of new protected bike lanes in the city centre from next week as part of work to make it easier to walk, cycle and distance in Bristol.
The changes, due to be implemented by Monday 3 August, will see temporary bollards installed along Park Row, Upper Maudlin Street and Marlborough Street to protect the lanes from traffic, which will be reduced from two lanes to one along much of the route.
Traffic will also reduce to one lane on Lewins Mead to allow for the installation of a northbound protected bike lane from the Christmas St junction to St James Barton roundabout. This temporary arrangement is also due for completion by 3 August.
The council’s long-term ambition is to make the new road layouts permanent, as part of the transformation of Bristol’s transport network, creating cleaner air and better bus, walking and cycling journeys, alongside ongoing plans for a mass transit public transport system.
Cllr Kye Dudd, cabinet member for transport at Bristol City Council, said: “These bold measures to divert traffic away from the city centre will make a huge difference to the quality of our air on a key Bristol route that passes our hospitals.
“The new protected bike lanes are part of city-wide transformative measures that will create a more connected future for everyone with cleaner air, safer and better public transport, and improved walking and cycling routes.”
The bike lanes are being installed on a temporary basis initially and Bristol City Council will assess how they are working before permanent changes are made.
