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{{Short description|Overview of the transport in Bristol}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
''']''' is a city in south west England, situated near the ] coast, approximately 106 miles (170 km) west of London. Several factors have influenced the development of its transport network. It is a major centre of employment, retail, culture and higher education, has many historic areas, and has a history of maritime industry. The city has a population of 400,000, with a ] of 550,000, and lies at the centre of the former ], which includes many ]s, and has a population of one million. Additionally, it has the seventh highest population density of any English district. ''']''' is a city in south west England, near the ] coast, approximately 106 miles (170 km) west of London. Several factors have influenced the development of its transport network. It is a major centre of employment, retail, culture and higher education, has many historic areas, and has a history of maritime industry. The city has a population of 450,000, with a ] of 650,000, and lies at the centre of the former ], which includes many ]s, and has a population of one million.


From 2017, the ] will have substantial responsibility for transport policy in its area which includes Bristol.<ref name=bathchron-20170302>{{cite news |url=http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-west-of-england-combined-authority/story-30173291-detail/story.html |title=Everything you need to know about the new West of England Combined Authority starting in May |first=B |last=Moorcraft |newspaper=Bath Chronicle |date=2 March 2017 |accessdate=6 March 2017}}</ref> The ] (WECA) has substantial responsibility for transport policy in its area which covers Bristol and surrounding areas.<ref name=bathchron-20170302>{{cite news |url=http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-west-of-england-combined-authority/story-30173291-detail/story.html |title=Everything you need to know about the new West of England Combined Authority starting in May |first=B |last=Moorcraft |newspaper=Bath Chronicle |date=2 March 2017 |accessdate=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302120722/http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-west-of-england-combined-authority/story-30173291-detail/story.html |archive-date=2 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=comms|title=Public transport|url=https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/public-transport/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=West of England Combined Authority|date=31 August 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> During 2023 residual strategic transport planning responsibility will be transferred to WECA from its constituent councils.<ref name=bbc-20221117>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-63649568 |title=Power transfer could see Bristol council shed 100 staff |last=Postans |first=Adam |work=BBC News |date=17 November 2022 |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref>


==National and international connections== ==National and international connections==
], Lulsgate]] ], Lulsgate]]
The city is connected by road on an east-west axis from London to ] by the ], and on a north-southwest axis from ] to ] by the ]. Also within the authority area is the ], a shortcut between the M5 in the south and M4 ] in the west. The city is connected by road on an east-west axis from London to ] by the ], and on a north-southwest axis from ] to ] by the ]. Also within the authority area is the ], a shortcut between the M5 in the south and M4 ] in the west.


] ]
There are two principal railway stations in Bristol: ] and ] with an extra 11 suburban stations. There are also scheduled coach links to most major UK cities. There are two principal railway stations in Bristol – ] and ] – and 11 suburban stations. There are scheduled coach links to most major UK cities.


The city is also served by its own airport, ] (BRS), at Lulsgate, which has seen substantial improvements to its runway, terminal and other facilities. The airport offers services to major European destinations, but the service to ] near New York City was withdrawn in November 2010. ] (BRS), about {{Convert|8|mi}} south-west of the city centre, has services to major European destinations.


==Public transport== ==Public transport==
{{Main|Public transport in Bristol}} {{Main|Public transport in Bristol}}
{{Bristol railway map|collapse=yes}} {{Bristol railway map|collapse=yes}}
Public transport within the city is still largely bus-based, with ] being located in Marlborough Street, near the ] shopping area. The majority of the local bus service is operated by ]. The central part of the city also has water-based routes, operated as the ], which provide both leisure and commuter services on the harbour. Bristol has over 50 bus and coach services operating in the city, providing links not just around the city but also rail links, park and rides and links to other major UK cities.


=== Rail ===
Bristol has never been well served by ], though the ] to ] and ] survived the ] and is still in operation today&nbsp;– in 2006 funding was secured to improve the frequency of services on this line from late 2007. Usage of the Severn Beach line has more than doubled in the past decade, but still only a small percentage of Bristol residents use it for commuting. The ] was closed in the Beeching Axe but was relaid between 2000–2002 as far as the ] with a ] rail-freight grant. Plans to relay a further three miles of track to Portishead, a largely ] with only one connecting road, have been approved.
{{Main|Rail services in the West of England}}
]
Bristol has never been well served by ], though the ] to ] and ] survived the ] and is still in operation today. Usage of the line has more than doubled since the early 2000s,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lloyd|first=Tony|date=2020-09-24|title=How the Severn Beach Line was saved|url=https://fosbr.org.uk/how-the-severn-beach-line-was-saved/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways|language=en-GB}}</ref> but still only a small percentage of Bristol residents use rail for commuting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=QS701EW (Method of travel to work) - Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/qs701ew|access-date=2021-09-14|website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>


High frequency commuter services operate between Bristol and Bath, serving the intermediate stations of ] and ]. There is potential to reopen another intermediate station, ], which was closed in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pipe|first=Ellie|date=2020-05-27|title=New bid to reopen St Anne's Park Station|url=https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/new-bid-to-reopen-st-annes-park-station/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Bristol 24/7|language=en}}</ref>
⚫ Two companies, ] and ], operate scheduled passenger ferry boat services in ] in the centre of Bristol. The services run the length of the harbour from ] to ] via ] and ], serving 15 landing stages. They are used for both commuting and leisure purposes.


Long distance services run from ] in the centre and ] in the north, where the line was ] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Alex|date=2018-09-10|title=Major rail disruption predicted as station closed for three weeks|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/major-rail-disruption-predicted-bristol-1988398|access-date=2021-09-14|website=BristolLive|language=en}}</ref>
The north of the city is served by ].

==== Improvement plans ====
{{Main|MetroWest (Bristol)}}
The ] from central to north Bristol was returned to quadruple track in 2018 to allow for improvements to local and long distance services.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two new railway lines into Bristol Temple Meads completed to help improve passenger journeys|url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/two-new-railway-lines-into-bristol-temple-meads-completed-to-help-improve-passenger-journeys|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Network Rail Media Centre|language=english}}</ref> ] is scheduled to reopen as ] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grubb|first=Sophie|date=2020-09-28|title=First images of new station planned for Bristol and opening date|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/how-ashley-down-railway-station-4555596|access-date=2021-09-14|website=BristolLive|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ashley Down station |url=https://www.gwr.com/stations-and-destinations/stations/new-stations/ashley-down |website=GWR |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

Work began in 2022 on a new station on the ] for the ] site, west of the city and close to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Millen |first=Ross |date=2022-02-01 |title=Work begins on Bristol's first new railway station since 1927 |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/portway-park-ride-station-shirehampton-6585165 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref> It opened in August 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Portway Park & Ride Station |url=https://www.gwr.com/stations-and-destinations/stations/new-stations/portway-park-and-ride |website=GWR |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

The ] was closed in the Beeching Axe but was relaid between 2000 and 2002 as far as the ] with a ] rail-freight grant. Plans to reinstate a further three miles of track to Portishead, a ] with only one connecting road, are underway, with services to be initially one train per hour.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Portishead rail line: MetroWest Phase 1|url=https://travelwest.info/projects/portishead-rail-line-metrowest-phase-1|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Travelwest|language=en-US}}</ref>

There are also plans to reopen parts of the ] to passengers, including ] at a new housing development with connections to the future ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Filton and Henbury train stations|url=https://travelwest.info/projects/north-filton-and-henbury-train-stations|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Travelwest|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Buses ===
{{Main|Buses in Bristol}}
Public transport within the city is still largely bus-based, with majority of local bus services operated by ]. ] is in Marlborough Street, near the ] shopping area and serves coaches and longer distance buses, whilst most local buses run to or through ], where trams used to run.

==== metrobus ====
]way section]]
{{Main|MetroBus (Bristol)}}
metrobus is a ] system with four all-day service routes and one peak service route.

* m1: ] to ] via the ] Frenchay campus, the ] and Bedminster, all-day service
* m2: ] park & ride to the ] via the Bristol Guided Busway, all-day service
* m3: ] and Lyde Green park & ride to ], via Hambrook and the ] Frenchay campus
* m3x: ] and Lyde Green park & ride express via M32 motorway to ], via Hambrook only, peak service
* m4: ] to ] via ] and the ], all-day service <ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2022 |title=First Bus announced as operator of new Parkway to Cribbs 'M4' MetroBus service |url=http://www.stokegiffordjournal.co.uk/2022/05/25/first-bus-operator-parkway-cribbs-m4-metrobus-service/ |website=Stoke Gifford Journal}}</ref>

=== Water transport ===
⚫ Two companies, ] and ], operate scheduled passenger ferry boat services in ] in the centre of Bristol. The services run the length of the harbour from ] to ] via ] and ], serving 15 landing stages. They are used for both commuting and leisure purposes.


==Local road network== ==Local road network==
] is the highest-quality route into Bristol City Centre.]] ] is the highest-capacity route into Bristol City Centre]]


{{see also|20th century road schemes in Bristol}} {{see also|20th century road schemes in Bristol}}
Line 32: Line 63:
The ] serves as a relief road for parts of the northern, eastern, and southern suburbs of the city. During 2006 plans have been considered to extend the existing A4174 ring road to improve transport links in the south.<ref name=sbrr>{{cite web|title=South Bristol Link|url=http://www.westofengland.org/media/164655/sbl%20nov%2009%20consultation.pdf|publisher=West of England Partnership|accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref> The ] serves as a relief road for parts of the northern, eastern, and southern suburbs of the city. During 2006 plans have been considered to extend the existing A4174 ring road to improve transport links in the south.<ref name=sbrr>{{cite web|title=South Bristol Link|url=http://www.westofengland.org/media/164655/sbl%20nov%2009%20consultation.pdf|publisher=West of England Partnership|accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref>


] was, until the 1990s, surrounded by the Inner Circuit Road. Its course included a ] road running diagonally through the centre of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/feb/02/great-city-walks-bristol|title=Great city walks: Bristol|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 February 2015|accessdate=16 November 2015}}</ref> This has since been partially dismantled, but major routes still converge on the city centre. Radiating from this are several major arterial roads. The ], constructed between 1966 and 1975, runs north from the centre to the M4,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/en/motorways/motorway-listing/m32/dates.cfm|title=M32 : Dates|publisher=The Motorway archive|accessdate=16 November 2015}}</ref> and is the busiest route. The ] runs east to ] and ], and west via the ] through the ] to the M5 at ]. The northern suburbs are served by the ] and ] ], the east by the ], ] and ] and the south by the ] and A38. Several other commuter towns also lie on major routes radiating from the city, including ] on the ] and ] on the ]. ] was, until the 1990s, surrounded by the Inner Circuit Road. Its course included a ] road running diagonally through the centre of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/feb/02/great-city-walks-bristol|title=Great city walks: Bristol|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 February 2015|accessdate=16 November 2015}}</ref> This has since been partially dismantled, but major routes still converge on the city centre. Radiating from this are several major arterial roads. The ], constructed between 1966 and 1975, runs north from the centre to the M4,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/en/motorways/motorway-listing/m32/dates.cfm|title=M32 : Dates|publisher=The Motorway archive|accessdate=16 November 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117064027/http://motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/en/motorways/motorway-listing/m32/dates.cfm|archivedate=17 November 2015}}</ref> and is the busiest route. The ] runs east to ] and ], and west via the ] through the ] to the M5 at ]. The northern suburbs are served by the ] and ] ], the east by the ], ] and ] and the south by the ] and A38. Several other commuter towns also lie on major routes radiating from the city, including ] on the ] and ] on the ].


===Clean Air Zone===
]
Bristol City Council introduced a Clean Air Zone in November 2022, which charges drivers of more polluting vehicles (those not compliant with ]). Cars, vans and taxis are charged £9 per day, while buses, coaches and goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are charged £100 per day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol's Clean Air Zone charges and vehicle checker |url=https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/bristols-caz/charges-and-vehicle-checker |website=bristol.gov.uk |publisher=Bristol City Council |access-date=21 December 2023}}</ref> The council estimates that 71% of vehicles entering the zone are already compliant.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CHARGES|url=https://www.cleanairforbristol.org/caz/charges-bristol-clean-air-zone/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Clean Air for Bristol|language=en-GB}}</ref> There are exemptions for vehicles in the disabled tax classes, certain types of specialist vehicles and those visiting hospitals in the ] complex, but an exemption for ] holders and a financial assistance scheme have now ended. Motorcycles are also exempt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clean Air Zone Exemptions |url=https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/bristols-caz/exemptions |website=bristol.gov.uk |publisher=Bristol city Council |access-date=21 December 2023}}</ref>


==Cycling== ==Cycling==
].]] ]]]
Despite being hilly, Bristol is one of the prominent cycling cities of England. Bristol is home to the national cycle campaigning group ]. It has a number of urban cycle routes, as well as links to ] routes to Bath and London, to Gloucester and Wales, and to the south-western peninsula of England. 7.7% of journeys to work are by bicycle.<ref name=ltp06.3>2011 Census. "{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/environment/greener_living/transport/Overall%20Commuter%20Count%20Results%202013.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-12-04 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724182420/http://www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/environment/greener_living/transport/Overall%20Commuter%20Count%20Results%202013.pdf |archivedate=24 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}."</ref> Between 1991 and 2001 Bristol had the third highest increase in bicycle use of any UK council area, at 1.64%.<ref>John Parkin, Bolton Institute Comparisons of cycle use for the journey to work from the '81, '91 and 2001 censuses. Traffic Engineering and Control, September 2003, cited in "." Accessed 12 April 2006.</ref> Following the 2001 Local Transport Plan cycling increased even more rapidly, with a 21% increase in journeys.<ref name=ltp06.1>B&NES, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, 2006. "." Chapter 1. (PDF)</ref> Despite being hilly, Bristol is one of the prominent cycling cities of England and home to the national cycle campaigning group ]. It has a number of urban cycle routes, as well as links to ] routes to Bath and London, to Gloucester and Wales, and to the south-western peninsula of England. In 2011, 7.7% of journeys to work were by bicycle.<ref name=ltp06.3>2011 Census. "{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/environment/greener_living/transport/Overall%20Commuter%20Count%20Results%202013.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-12-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724182420/http://www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/environment/greener_living/transport/Overall%20Commuter%20Count%20Results%202013.pdf |archivedate=24 July 2014}}."</ref>


Bristol was recently awarded £22.8 million to double its cycling population after being awarded "cycling city" status. More information can be found at the region's cycling website Bristol was awarded £22.8 million in 2011 to double its cycling population after being awarded "cycling city" status. The program lead to new cycle routes, more cycle parking, better signage and training and events.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 2011|title=Greater Bristol Cycling City End of Project Report June 2011|url=https://betterbybike.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cycling-City-end-of-project-report.pdf}}</ref>

Routes in Bristol include the ], Concorde Way between the centre and north Bristol, Festival Way between the centre and the town of ], Malago and Filwood Greenways to the south of Bristol and Frome Valley Greenway to the north-east of Bristol. Improvements to ] have created new cycle paths to better connect radial routes together.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ashcroft|first=Esme|date=2017-08-30|title=How MetroBus has changed Bristol city centre and what is next|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/how-metrobus-changed-bristol-city-397781|access-date=2021-09-14|website=BristolLive|language=en}}</ref>

== Electric scooters ==
A trial of ] by ] was started in partnership with Swedish company Voi in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=E-scooter trial|url=https://travelwest.info/projects/e-scooter-trial|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Travelwest|language=en-US}}</ref> The scooters can be hired by anyone with a provisional driver's licence over 18 for a fee. In June 2023 it was announced that operation of scooters would be taken over by another company, Tier.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-30 |title=West Voi e-scooter area to be expanded and rebranded |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-66052784 |access-date=2023-06-30}}</ref>


==Motorcycles== ==Motorcycles==
Bristol is a motorcycle friendly city. The city council recognises that motorcycle use eases congestion as motorcycles take up less space both on the road and when parked. Its motorcycling policy includes the following:<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Roads-highways-and-pavements/motorcycles/motorcycles.en | work= Bristol City Council | title= Motorcycles | accessdate= 24 September 2007}}</ref> Bristol city council recognises that motorcycle use eases congestion as motorcycles take up less space both on the road and when parked. Its motorcycling policy includes the following:<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Roads-highways-and-pavements/motorcycles/motorcycles.en | work= Bristol City Council | title= Motorcycles | accessdate= 24 September 2007 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071012200652/http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Roads-highways-and-pavements/motorcycles/motorcycles.en | archivedate= 12 October 2007}}</ref>
*Motorcycles have been allowed to use most of the bus lanes in the city since 1996.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Roads-highways-and-pavements/motorcycles/motorcycles.en?page=2 | work= Bristol City Council | title= Motorcyclists using Bus Lanes | accessdate= 24 September 2007}}</ref> Bristol was one of the first cities in the United Kingdom to permit bus lane use, following a campaign by the local branch of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG). Motorcycles are also permitted to use the ] (HOV) on the ] Long Ashton bypass and the HOV lane on the A4174 ring road.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/exeres/be318378-0313-49bd-a8db-9cb645513c6e | work= South Gloucestershire Council | title= Car-share lane | accessdate= 24 September 2007}}</ref> *Motorcycles have been allowed to use most of the bus lanes in the city since 1996.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Roads-highways-and-pavements/motorcycles/motorcycles.en?page=2 | work= Bristol City Council | title= Motorcyclists using Bus Lanes | accessdate= 24 September 2007 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110520074123/http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Roads-highways-and-pavements/motorcycles/motorcycles.en?page=2 | archivedate= 20 May 2011}}</ref> Bristol was one of the first cities in the United Kingdom to permit bus lane use, following a campaign by the local branch of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG). Motorcycles are also permitted to use the ] (HOV) on the ] Long Ashton bypass and the HOV lane on the A4174 ring road.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/exeres/be318378-0313-49bd-a8db-9cb645513c6e | work= South Gloucestershire Council | title= Car-share lane | accessdate= 24 September 2007 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070713132206/http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/exeres/be318378-0313-49bd-a8db-9cb645513c6e | archivedate= 13 July 2007}}</ref>
*Free motorcycle specific parking areas are provided across the city, which are fitted with ground anchors so that motorcycles can be locked. A map is published by the city council showing these and other areas where motorcycles can be parked for free.<ref>{{cite web|title=Where to Park in Bristol|url=https://www.bristol.gov.uk/parking/where-to-park-in-bristol|publisher=Bristol City Council|accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref> *Free motorcycle specific parking areas are provided across the city, which are fitted with ground anchors so that motorcycles can be locked. A map is published by the city council showing these and other areas where motorcycles can be parked for free.<ref>{{cite web|title=Where to Park in Bristol|url=https://www.bristol.gov.uk/parking/where-to-park-in-bristol|publisher=Bristol City Council|accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref>
*The local ] uses money from ] fines to fund motorcycle safety courses for riders from Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. *The local ] uses money from ] fines to fund motorcycle safety courses for riders from Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.


==Car Clubs== ==Car clubs==


] operators in the Bristol area include ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bristol |url=https://www.co-wheels.org.uk/bristol |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Co Wheels |language=en}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Car Hire in Bristol |url=https://www.zipcar.com/en-gb/car-hire-bristol |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=www.zipcar.com}}</ref>
Bristol is also home to two Car Clubs which operate a variety of vehicles across the city. The cars are parked in a variety of on street bays as well as in private residences and public car parks. The popularity of Car Clubs is a result of the lack of parking within central areas and contributes to the sustainable urban transport plan for the city. Co-wheels car club, a social enterprise, has over 10 vehicles available to hire in Bristol, including electric cars in the city centre.<ref>http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/bristol</ref> ZipCar (Formerly StreetCar) has a fleet of 16 vehicles based in the city<ref>http://www.zipcar.co.uk/bristol</ref> and City Car Club has around 50 cars, both within the city centre and in suburban areas.<ref>http://www.citycarclub.co.uk/locations/bristol-car-hire</ref>


==Concerns==
==Current problems==
The rate of traffic increase in the Greater Bristol area has been up to three times the national average, and during peak time 50% of motorway traffic is local.<ref name=ltp06.3/> Without intervention the council predicts that between 2006 and 2016 an additional 20,000 people would be commuting in cars. Average peak time speeds in Bristol are 16&nbsp;mph (26&nbsp;km/h), the lowest of the eight English "core cities", with 23% of journey times spent stationary, costing the local economy £350 million per year.<ref name=ltp06.1/> Cars are used for 45% of journeys under 2&nbsp;km, and 68% of 2–5&nbsp;km journeys.<ref name=ltp06.3/> The dormitory towns of Weston-super-Mare, ] and Portishead, which have good connections to the M5, but poor public transport systems, contribute to the congestion, and have growing populations. The rate of traffic increase in the Greater Bristol area has been up to three times the national average, and (around 2011) during peak time 50% of motorway traffic was local.<ref name=ltp06.3/> Without intervention, the council predicted in 2006 that by 2016 an additional 20,000 people would be commuting in cars. Average peak time speeds in Bristol in 2006 were 16&nbsp;mph (26&nbsp;km/h), the lowest of the eight English "core cities", with 23% of journey times spent stationary, costing the local economy £350 million per year.<ref name="ltp06.1">B&NES, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, 2006. "." Chapter 1.</ref> Cars were used for 45% of journeys under 2&nbsp;km, and 68% of 2–5&nbsp;km journeys.<ref name=ltp06.3/> The dormitory towns of ], ] and ], which have good connections to the M5 but poor public transport systems, contribute to the congestion, and have growing populations.

]
Bristol's bus service, run by First Bristol, has been a regular target of criticism. The ] ] described First Bus as "unsatisfactory" and "untenable",<ref>UWESU, 2006. {{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (PDF).</ref> while the 2006 Local Transport Plan describes public transport in Bristol as unattractive and expensive.<ref name=ltp06.3/> ] ], ], has stated that attempts to get motorists onto public transport will fail when, as in Bristol, providers repeatedly put fares up above the rate of inflation.<ref>Kerry McCarthy, ''et al.'', 17 January 2006. , ] / '']''.</ref> In 2005 the company was fined £96,250 for delays, and nearly lost a sixth of its vehicle licenses due to poor maintenance.<ref>BBC News Online, 2005. "."</ref> FirstGroup in Bristol have a target 95% punctuality (maximum five minutes late), but in January–February 2008, punctuality was 83.9%, and reliability 97.5%.<ref>.</ref>

In addition to problems with local public transport, the main local rail franchise, ], has a poor record of punctuality, with only 71% of trains reaching their destinations on time. In January 2007 and January 2008, ]s were organised, during which fake tickets were issued to passengers during morning commutes.<ref>BBC News, </ref><ref>BBC News, </ref>


==Future developments== ==Future developments==
{{Main|Proposed transport developments in Bristol}} {{Main|Proposed transport developments in Bristol}}
Since 2000 the city council has included a ] system in its ], but has so far been unable to fund the project. The city was offered ] funding for the system, but the ] did not provide the required additional funding.<ref>James Skinner, 2006. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524221325/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/282/DC/sus_2.pdf |date=24 May 2006 }}." Sustraco / H.M. Treasury.</ref> In November 2016, the ] began a consultation process on their Transport Vision Summary Document, outlining potential ]/] routes from the ] to ], the eastern and north west fringes of the city, and a route along the ] to ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk/gf2.ti/-/757442/23234053.1/PDF/-/Joint_Transport_Study__Transport_Vision.pdf|title=West of England Joint Transport Study - Transport Vision Summary Document |access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> In 2017, a further feasibility study will be undertaken into the possibility of an underground light rail system.<ref>{{cite web|work=TransportXtra |url=https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/54514/underground-light-rail-studied-for-bristol|title=Underground light rail studied for Bristol|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> Since 2000 the city council has included a ] system in its ], but has so far been unable to fund the project. The city was offered ] funding for the system, but the ] did not provide the required additional funding.<ref>James Skinner, 2006. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524221325/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/282/DC/sus_2.pdf |date=24 May 2006 }}." Sustraco / H.M. Treasury.</ref> In November 2016, the ] began a consultation process on their Transport Vision Summary Document, outlining potential ]/] routes from the ] to ], the eastern and north west fringes of the city, and a route along the ] to ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk/gf2.ti/-/757442/23234053.1/PDF/-/Joint_Transport_Study__Transport_Vision.pdf|title=West of England Joint Transport Study - Transport Vision Summary Document |access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> In 2017, a further feasibility study will be undertaken into the possibility of an underground light rail system.<ref>{{cite web|work=TransportXtra |url=https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/54514/underground-light-rail-studied-for-bristol|title=Underground light rail studied for Bristol|date=September 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>


As well as improvements to public transport, the 2005 Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study, commissioned by the ], recommended road building to tackle congestion. These include re-routing and extended the South Bristol Ring Road. The road is currently partially single carriageway and indirect, terminating at the A38 in a built-up area. When the current sections of the road were built it was intended that the road would continue as dual carriageway to a section of the A38 further south, and development prevented on the intended route. The proposals follow this route west from ] roundabout to the A38 at Castle Farm (phase 1), and from there to the A370 near Long Ashton Park and Ride (phase 2). There are additional recommendations (phase 3) for a new ] bypass from Hengrove Park roundabout, along the base of ], around ] and joining the existing A4174 at Hicks Gate roundabout on the A4.<ref name=gbsts>Atkins, 2005. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413000653/http://www.gbsts.com/ |date=13 April 2007 }}." Chapter 6.</ref> Phase one and two of the ring road are the only major road building schemes adopted by the Joint Local Transport Plan, which claimed they would reduce delays across the Greater Bristol area by 6%, and lead to a 9% increase in public transport use.<ref>B&NES, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, 2006. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628211541/http://www.greaterbristoltransportplan.org/ltp_pdf/maindoc/ltp-main-section-6.pdf |date=28 June 2006 }}." Chapter 6. (PDF)</ref> Bristol City Council has since endorsed all three phases, hoping to begin construction of the first two phases in 2010 and 2011, and the third phase potentially some time after 2016.<ref name=sbrr/> As well as improvements to public transport, the 2005 Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study, commissioned by the ], recommended road building to tackle congestion. These include re-routing and extended the South Bristol Ring Road. The road is currently partially single carriageway and indirect, terminating at the A38 in a built-up area. When the current sections of the road were built it was intended that the road would continue as dual carriageway to a section of the A38 further south, and development prevented on the intended route. The proposals follow this route west from ] roundabout to the A38 at Castle Farm (phase 1), and from there to the A370 near Long Ashton Park and Ride (phase 2). There are additional recommendations (phase 3) for a new ] bypass from Hengrove Park roundabout, along the base of ], around ] and joining the existing A4174 at Hicks Gate roundabout on the A4.<ref name=gbsts>Atkins, 2005. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413000653/http://www.gbsts.com/ |date=13 April 2007 }}." Chapter 6.</ref> Phase one and two of the ring road are the only major road building schemes adopted by the Joint Local Transport Plan, which claimed they would reduce delays across the Greater Bristol area by 6%, and lead to a 9% increase in public transport use.<ref>B&NES, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, 2006. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628211541/http://www.greaterbristoltransportplan.org/ltp_pdf/maindoc/ltp-main-section-6.pdf |date=28 June 2006 }}." Chapter 6.</ref> Bristol City Council has since endorsed all three phases, hoping to begin construction of the first two phases in 2010 and 2011, and the third phase potentially some time after 2016.<ref name=sbrr/>


There are several other major road developments proposed by the Strategic Transport Study.<ref name=gbsts/> ], a rapidly expanding business and industrial suburb with a £300 million "science park" currently in development, could be connected to the M4, with a new junction where the motorway crosses the dismantled Midlands railway (ST689779) and a new road following the route of the railway to the A4174 roundabout (ST675771). When St Philip's Causeway was built by ] in the 1980s, connecting the M32 in ] to the A4 at ], it was originally intended to be part of a larger road scheme.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211110418/http://www.communities.gov.uk/archived/general-content/citiesandregions/impacturban/ |date=11 December 2008 }}, 1998, Department of Communities and Local Government, accessed 25 September 2009</ref> A proposed Callington Road Link would extend the road along the route of the dismantled Radstock railway line to the A4174, with a junction on the A4. ] has also been attracting increasing levels of transport to roads south of Bristol, and an Airport link has been discussed for several years. Two schemes are suggested in the STS, both entirely new roads. One route connects Junction 20 of the M5 at ] to the west end of the Long Ashton bypass as a new "Nailsea Bypass", coupled with an "Orange Route" link from the Long Ashton bypass, approximately one kilometre from its west end, to the A38 at the B3130 junction. The other route would run from the A38 just south of the airport, north of ] and south of ] to the M5 at Weston-super-Mare. The final major project proposal is a second ]. This would be a lower level to the M5 bridge, with a swing or lifting mechanism, to the West of the existing bridge, and would relieve the motorway of the local traffic it carries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Second crossing planned for Avon|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5100154.stm|publisher=BBC|accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref> There are several other major road developments proposed by the Strategic Transport Study.<ref name=gbsts/> ], a rapidly expanding business and industrial suburb with a £300 million "science park" currently in development, could be connected to the M4, with a new junction where the motorway crosses the dismantled Midlands railway (ST689779) and a new road following the route of the railway to the A4174 roundabout (ST675771). When St Philip's Causeway was built by ] in the 1980s, connecting the M32 in ] to the A4 at ], it was originally intended to be part of a larger road scheme.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211110418/http://www.communities.gov.uk/archived/general-content/citiesandregions/impacturban/ |date=11 December 2008 }}, 1998, Department of Communities and Local Government, accessed 25 September 2009</ref> A proposed Callington Road Link would extend the road along the route of the dismantled Radstock railway line to the A4174, with a junction on the A4. ] has also been attracting increasing levels of transport to roads south of Bristol, and an Airport link has been discussed for several years. Two schemes are suggested in the STS, both entirely new roads. One route connects Junction 20 of the M5 at ] to the west end of the Long Ashton bypass as a new "Nailsea Bypass", coupled with an "Orange Route" link from the Long Ashton bypass, approximately one kilometre from its west end, to the A38 at the B3130 junction. The other route would run from the A38 just south of the airport, north of ] and south of ] to the M5 at Weston-super-Mare. The final major project proposal is a second ]. This would be a lower level to the M5 bridge, with a swing or lifting mechanism, to the West of the existing bridge, and would relieve the motorway of the local traffic it carries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Second crossing planned for Avon|date=20 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5100154.stm|publisher=BBC|accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref>


Work began in 2015 on the ] bus rapid transit system and will be operational in 2017, providing a new faster public transport service and aims to tackle traffic congestion, improving transport links to South Bristol, reducing journey times and eliminate the need for bus changes.<ref>{{cite web|title=MetroBus Benefits|url=http://travelwest.info/metrobus/benefits|publisher=Travelwest|accessdate=22 April 2016}}</ref> Work began in 2015 on the ] bus rapid transit system and was planned to be operational by Spring 2017, however the first route did not start operating until 29 May 2018. MetroBus provides a new faster public transport service and aims to tackle traffic congestion, improving transport links to South Bristol, reducing journey times and eliminate the need for bus changes.<ref>{{cite web|title=MetroBus Benefits|url=http://travelwest.info/metrobus/benefits|publisher=Travelwest|accessdate=22 April 2016}}</ref> A new MetroBus route between Cribbs Causeway and Bristol Parkway is planned to start operating in Spring 2023. Rail services in Bristol currently suffer from overcrowding and there is a proposal to increase rail capacity under the ] scheme.<ref>
Rail services in Bristol currently suffer from overcrowding and there is a proposal to increase rail capacity under the ] scheme.<ref>
{{cite web {{cite web
|url=http://www.westofengland.org/media/98508/item%2004%20greater%20bristol%20metro%2013%20march%202009.pdf |url=http://www.westofengland.org/media/98508/item%2004%20greater%20bristol%20metro%2013%20march%202009.pdf
Line 79: Line 110:


==Transport used for commute== ==Transport used for commute==
Source: 2011 census.<ref name=":0" /> Method used for travel to work by usual residents of each area.
Source: 2001 census<ref>Office for National Statistics, 2001. .</ref>
{|class="wikitable" {|class="wikitable"
|- |-
!width=120|Mode of transport !width=120|Mode of transport
!width=80 align=right|Bristol % !width=80 align=right|Bristol Council Area %
!] %
!width=80 align=right|National % ! width="80" align="right" |England %
|- |-
||Car driver ||Car driver
|align=right|55.20 |align=right|49.9
|56.0
|align=right|61.78 | align="right" |57.0
|- |-
||On foot ||On foot
|align=right|12.78 |align=right|19.3
|15.7
⚫ |align=right|9.68
| align="right" |10.7
|- |-
||Bus or coach ||Bus or coach
|align=right|11.08 |align=right|9.6
|8.5
⚫ |align=right|4.72
⚫ | align="right" |7.5
|- |-
||Car passenger ||Car passenger
|align=right|6.35 |align=right|4.9
|5.0
|align=right|6.77 | align="right" |5.0
|- |-
||Bicycle ||Bicycle
|align=right|4.12 |align=right|7.7
|6.7
|align=right|2.52 | align="right" |3.0
|- |-
||Motorcycle ||Motorcycle
|align=right|1.67 |align=right|1.1
|1.2
|align=right|1.06 | align="right" |0.8
|- |-
||Taxi ||Taxi
|align=right|0.25 |align=right|0.3
|0.3
|align=right|0.36 | align="right" |0.5
|- |-
||Other ||Other
|align=right|0.31 |align=right|0.7
|0.6
⚫ |align=right|0.49
⚫ | align="right" |4.7
|- |-
||Work from home ||Work from home
|align=right|7.40 |align=right|4.6
|4.4
⚫ |align=right|9.48
⚫ | align="right" |5.4
|} |}
:

More recent but less thorough data from a survey of commuters into inner city employers produced the following results.
:<ref>Big Commuter Count 2008
{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921135310/http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/transport-policy/big-commuter-count-2008.en |date=21 September 2009 }}</ref> Car as a driver 38.6%, Walk 20.8%, Cycle 12.1%, Bus 8.6%, Car&nbsp;– as a passenger 5.8%, Train 5.8%, working from home today 1.5%, Motorbike 1.6%, Park and Ride 1.5%. These numbers, with high walking/cycling, low work from home may be consistent with the survey, as they are a selective count of people who work in the inner city -not in the North Fringe, nor from home unless their employer is one of the set based in the city and included in the survey.


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Transport in Bristol}} {{Commons category}}
*{{dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Bristol/Transport/|Transport in Bristol}}
*
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{{Transport in Bristol}} {{Transport in Bristol}}

Latest revision as of 23:04, 16 December 2024

Overview of the transport in Bristol

Bristol is a city in south west England, near the Bristol Channel coast, approximately 106 miles (170 km) west of London. Several factors have influenced the development of its transport network. It is a major centre of employment, retail, culture and higher education, has many historic areas, and has a history of maritime industry. The city has a population of 450,000, with a metropolitan area of 650,000, and lies at the centre of the former County of Avon, which includes many dormitory towns, and has a population of one million.

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has substantial responsibility for transport policy in its area which covers Bristol and surrounding areas. During 2023 residual strategic transport planning responsibility will be transferred to WECA from its constituent councils.

National and international connections

The passenger terminal at Bristol Airport, Lulsgate

The city is connected by road on an east-west axis from London to Wales by the M4 motorway, and on a north-southwest axis from Birmingham to Exeter by the M5 motorway. Also within the authority area is the M49 motorway, a shortcut between the M5 in the south and M4 Severn Crossing in the west.

Temple Meads station

There are two principal railway stations in Bristol – Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads – and 11 suburban stations. There are scheduled coach links to most major UK cities.

Bristol Airport (BRS), about 8 miles (13 km) south-west of the city centre, has services to major European destinations.

Public transport

Main article: Public transport in Bristol
Railways in the Bristol area
Legend
Cross Country Route
Thornbury branch line
Yate South Wales Main Line
New Passage Pier Westerleigh Junction
New Passage Halt Cross Hands Halt
South Wales Main Line
via Severn Tunnel
 Pilning
Severn Beach Coalpit Heath
Severn View Industrial Park Winterbourne
Chittening Industrial Estate Bristol Parkway
Patchway
Smoke Lane Industrial Estate Ram Hill Colliery
Chittening Platform
Hallen Halt
Avonmouth Docks Henbury
St Andrews Road Charlton Halt
Avonmouth (BPR&P) North Filton Platform
Avonmouth (Royal Edward) Stoke Gifford depot
Avonmouth Docks Westerleigh Goods Depot
Avonmouth
Avonmouth Light Railway Filton Junction
Avonmouth Docks Filton
Portway Park & Ride Filton Abbey Wood
Shirehampton Horfield
Ashley Down
Sea Mills Ashley Hill
Clifton Down Tunnel Mangotsfield (1845–1869)
Clifton Down Mangotsfield (1869–1966)
Redland Staple Hill
Montpelier Fishponds
Hotwells Halt Warmley
Hotwells Narroways Hill Junction
Stapleton Road sidings
Grey line represents Stapleton Road
boundary of Bristol Oldland Common
unitary authority area Avon Valley Railway
Lawrence Hill
Waste depot Bitton
Bristol St Philip's Barton Hill Depot
St Mary Redcliffe tunnel Avon Riverside
Bristol Temple Meads ferry/water interchange Airport interchange Bristol Temple Meads ferry/water interchange Airport interchange
Princes' Wharf Kelston
Bristol Harbour Railway St Philip's Marsh T&RSMD
SS Great Britain East Depot
Bristol Docks (North) Bedminster
Bristol Docks (South) Parson Street
CREATE Centre Mangotsfield to Bath line
South Liberty Lane Depot
Ashton Gate St Anne's Park
Clifton Bridge Brislington
Nightingale Valley Halt Long Ashton
Ham Green Halt Bristol–Exeter line
Pill Whitchurch Halt
Portbury shipyard Keynsham
Royal Portbury Dock Bristol & North Somerset Rly
Portbury Shipyard Saltford
Portbury Great Western Main Line
(1954–1964) Portishead
Weston, Clevedon and
Portishead Light Railway
(1879–1954) Portishead
Portishead Pier

Rail

Main article: Rail services in the West of England
A train under overhead lines
Electrified track at Bristol Parkway

Bristol has never been well served by suburban railways, though the Severn Beach Line to Avonmouth and Severn Beach survived the Beeching Axe and is still in operation today. Usage of the line has more than doubled since the early 2000s, but still only a small percentage of Bristol residents use rail for commuting.

High frequency commuter services operate between Bristol and Bath, serving the intermediate stations of Keynsham and Oldfield Park. There is potential to reopen another intermediate station, St Anne's Park, which was closed in 1970.

Long distance services run from Bristol Temple Meads in the centre and Bristol Parkway in the north, where the line was electrified in 2018.

Improvement plans

Main article: MetroWest (Bristol)

The Filton Bank from central to north Bristol was returned to quadruple track in 2018 to allow for improvements to local and long distance services. Ashley Hill railway station is scheduled to reopen as Ashley Down in 2024.

Work began in 2022 on a new station on the Severn Beach line for the Portway park & ride site, west of the city and close to the M5 motorway. It opened in August 2023.

The Portishead Railway was closed in the Beeching Axe but was relaid between 2000 and 2002 as far as the Royal Portbury Dock with a Strategic Rail Authority rail-freight grant. Plans to reinstate a further three miles of track to Portishead, a dormitory town with only one connecting road, are underway, with services to be initially one train per hour.

There are also plans to reopen parts of the Henbury Loop Line to passengers, including a station at a new housing development with connections to the future Bristol Arena.

Buses

Main article: Buses in Bristol

Public transport within the city is still largely bus-based, with majority of local bus services operated by First West of England. Bristol bus station is in Marlborough Street, near the Broadmead shopping area and serves coaches and longer distance buses, whilst most local buses run to or through the Centre, where trams used to run.

metrobus

The m2 metrobus route has a guided busway section
Main article: MetroBus (Bristol)

metrobus is a bus rapid transit system with four all-day service routes and one peak service route.

Water transport

Two companies, Bristol Ferry Boats and Number Seven Boat Trips, operate scheduled passenger ferry boat services in Bristol Harbour in the centre of Bristol. The services run the length of the harbour from Hotwells to Bristol Temple Meads railway station via SS Great Britain and The Centre, serving 15 landing stages. They are used for both commuting and leisure purposes.

Local road network

The M32 motorway is the highest-capacity route into Bristol City Centre
See also: 20th century road schemes in Bristol

The A4174 "Avon ring road" serves as a relief road for parts of the northern, eastern, and southern suburbs of the city. During 2006 plans have been considered to extend the existing A4174 ring road to improve transport links in the south.

Bristol city centre was, until the 1990s, surrounded by the Inner Circuit Road. Its course included a dual carriageway road running diagonally through the centre of Queen Square. This has since been partially dismantled, but major routes still converge on the city centre. Radiating from this are several major arterial roads. The M32 motorway, constructed between 1966 and 1975, runs north from the centre to the M4, and is the busiest route. The A4 runs east to Keynsham and Bath, and west via the Portway through the Avon Gorge to the M5 at Avonmouth. The northern suburbs are served by the A4018 and A38 Gloucester Road, the east by the A420, A431 and A432 and the south by the A37 and A38. Several other commuter towns also lie on major routes radiating from the city, including Weston-super-Mare on the A370 and Portishead on the A369.

Clean Air Zone

Bristol City Council introduced a Clean Air Zone in November 2022, which charges drivers of more polluting vehicles (those not compliant with petrol Euro 4 or diesel Euro 6). Cars, vans and taxis are charged £9 per day, while buses, coaches and goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are charged £100 per day. The council estimates that 71% of vehicles entering the zone are already compliant. There are exemptions for vehicles in the disabled tax classes, certain types of specialist vehicles and those visiting hospitals in the Bristol Royal Infirmary complex, but an exemption for Blue Badge holders and a financial assistance scheme have now ended. Motorcycles are also exempt.

Cycling

The Bristol & Bath Railway Path

Despite being hilly, Bristol is one of the prominent cycling cities of England and home to the national cycle campaigning group Sustrans. It has a number of urban cycle routes, as well as links to National Cycle Network routes to Bath and London, to Gloucester and Wales, and to the south-western peninsula of England. In 2011, 7.7% of journeys to work were by bicycle.

Bristol was awarded £22.8 million in 2011 to double its cycling population after being awarded "cycling city" status. The program lead to new cycle routes, more cycle parking, better signage and training and events.

Routes in Bristol include the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, Concorde Way between the centre and north Bristol, Festival Way between the centre and the town of Nailsea, Malago and Filwood Greenways to the south of Bristol and Frome Valley Greenway to the north-east of Bristol. Improvements to The Centre have created new cycle paths to better connect radial routes together.

Electric scooters

A trial of e-scooters by WECA was started in partnership with Swedish company Voi in 2020. The scooters can be hired by anyone with a provisional driver's licence over 18 for a fee. In June 2023 it was announced that operation of scooters would be taken over by another company, Tier.

Motorcycles

Bristol city council recognises that motorcycle use eases congestion as motorcycles take up less space both on the road and when parked. Its motorcycling policy includes the following:

  • Motorcycles have been allowed to use most of the bus lanes in the city since 1996. Bristol was one of the first cities in the United Kingdom to permit bus lane use, following a campaign by the local branch of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG). Motorcycles are also permitted to use the high-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV) on the A370 Long Ashton bypass and the HOV lane on the A4174 ring road.
  • Free motorcycle specific parking areas are provided across the city, which are fitted with ground anchors so that motorcycles can be locked. A map is published by the city council showing these and other areas where motorcycles can be parked for free.
  • The local Safety Camera Partnership uses money from speeding fines to fund motorcycle safety courses for riders from Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Car clubs

Car club operators in the Bristol area include Co Wheels and Zipcar.

Concerns

The rate of traffic increase in the Greater Bristol area has been up to three times the national average, and (around 2011) during peak time 50% of motorway traffic was local. Without intervention, the council predicted in 2006 that by 2016 an additional 20,000 people would be commuting in cars. Average peak time speeds in Bristol in 2006 were 16 mph (26 km/h), the lowest of the eight English "core cities", with 23% of journey times spent stationary, costing the local economy £350 million per year. Cars were used for 45% of journeys under 2 km, and 68% of 2–5 km journeys. The dormitory towns of Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead, which have good connections to the M5 but poor public transport systems, contribute to the congestion, and have growing populations.

Future developments

Main article: Proposed transport developments in Bristol

Since 2000 the city council has included a light rail system in its Local Transport Plan, but has so far been unable to fund the project. The city was offered European Union funding for the system, but the Department for Transport did not provide the required additional funding. In November 2016, the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership began a consultation process on their Transport Vision Summary Document, outlining potential light rail/tram routes from the city centre to Bristol Airport, the eastern and north west fringes of the city, and a route along the A4 road to Bath. In 2017, a further feasibility study will be undertaken into the possibility of an underground light rail system.

As well as improvements to public transport, the 2005 Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study, commissioned by the regional government office, recommended road building to tackle congestion. These include re-routing and extended the South Bristol Ring Road. The road is currently partially single carriageway and indirect, terminating at the A38 in a built-up area. When the current sections of the road were built it was intended that the road would continue as dual carriageway to a section of the A38 further south, and development prevented on the intended route. The proposals follow this route west from Hengrove Park roundabout to the A38 at Castle Farm (phase 1), and from there to the A370 near Long Ashton Park and Ride (phase 2). There are additional recommendations (phase 3) for a new Whitchurch bypass from Hengrove Park roundabout, along the base of Dundry Hill, around Stockwood and joining the existing A4174 at Hicks Gate roundabout on the A4. Phase one and two of the ring road are the only major road building schemes adopted by the Joint Local Transport Plan, which claimed they would reduce delays across the Greater Bristol area by 6%, and lead to a 9% increase in public transport use. Bristol City Council has since endorsed all three phases, hoping to begin construction of the first two phases in 2010 and 2011, and the third phase potentially some time after 2016.

There are several other major road developments proposed by the Strategic Transport Study. Emersons Green, a rapidly expanding business and industrial suburb with a £300 million "science park" currently in development, could be connected to the M4, with a new junction where the motorway crosses the dismantled Midlands railway (ST689779) and a new road following the route of the railway to the A4174 roundabout (ST675771). When St Philip's Causeway was built by Bristol Development Corporation in the 1980s, connecting the M32 in St Pauls to the A4 at Arno's Vale, it was originally intended to be part of a larger road scheme. A proposed Callington Road Link would extend the road along the route of the dismantled Radstock railway line to the A4174, with a junction on the A4. Bristol Airport has also been attracting increasing levels of transport to roads south of Bristol, and an Airport link has been discussed for several years. Two schemes are suggested in the STS, both entirely new roads. One route connects Junction 20 of the M5 at Clevedon to the west end of the Long Ashton bypass as a new "Nailsea Bypass", coupled with an "Orange Route" link from the Long Ashton bypass, approximately one kilometre from its west end, to the A38 at the B3130 junction. The other route would run from the A38 just south of the airport, north of Wrington and south of Congresbury to the M5 at Weston-super-Mare. The final major project proposal is a second Avonmouth Bridge. This would be a lower level to the M5 bridge, with a swing or lifting mechanism, to the West of the existing bridge, and would relieve the motorway of the local traffic it carries.

Work began in 2015 on the MetroBus bus rapid transit system and was planned to be operational by Spring 2017, however the first route did not start operating until 29 May 2018. MetroBus provides a new faster public transport service and aims to tackle traffic congestion, improving transport links to South Bristol, reducing journey times and eliminate the need for bus changes. A new MetroBus route between Cribbs Causeway and Bristol Parkway is planned to start operating in Spring 2023. Rail services in Bristol currently suffer from overcrowding and there is a proposal to increase rail capacity under the Greater Bristol Metro scheme.

Transport used for commute

Source: 2011 census. Method used for travel to work by usual residents of each area.

Mode of transport Bristol Council Area % Bristol Built-up Area % England %
Car driver 49.9 56.0 57.0
On foot 19.3 15.7 10.7
Bus or coach 9.6 8.5 7.5
Car passenger 4.9 5.0 5.0
Bicycle 7.7 6.7 3.0
Motorcycle 1.1 1.2 0.8
Taxi 0.3 0.3 0.5
Other 0.7 0.6 4.7
Work from home 4.6 4.4 5.4

References

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