FAQs
Transport improvements FAQs
- Install a segregated two-way cycleway on the eastern side of Passage Road
- Create peak-hour bus lanes on both sides of the dual carriageway that will be in use from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 6.30pm
- Move the pedestrian crossing by the roundabout, closer to Knole Lane and Crow Lane
- Create a pedestrian crossing to the north of Dragonwell Road
- Narrow the Brentry Lane and Passage Road highway junction
What does this project include?
This project includes work to:
As part of the work, the central reservation and water mains needs to be relocated, and the concrete road surface replaced.
Why is this work being undertaken?
This work is the first phase of a series of transport improvements in preparation for the thousands of new homes that are being built nearby in South Gloucestershire as part of the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood on the former airfield in Filton.
This project will help the reliability of the Number 1 bus and support additional passenger journeys from the new housing developments in South Gloucestershire.
The project will also help make walking, wheeling and cycling through the area safer and more appealing by installing dedicated cycleways and pedestrian crossing improvements.
The second phase includes transport improvements on the A4018 between Charlton Road and the junction with Westbury Hill and Westbury Road. This work is awaiting a funding decision.
You can find out more about the wider Transport Corridor Projects on the West of England Combined Authority website: www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/transport/transport-corridor-projects/
What is the project timeline?
February-March 2019: Non-statutory consultation on the larger scheme (covering as far South as Westbury Hill – Falcondale Road junction and included changes in Westbury Village) took place.
June 2019: Cabinet approved measures to be taken forward.
2020-2022: Project paused due to COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2023: Statutory Consultation (Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)) for the bus lane, waiting and loading restrictions and U-turn ban took place.
December 2024: Construction to commence.
December 2026: Construction completed.
When was the project consulted on?
Non-statutory consultation (engagement with the public) was undertaken in February – March 2019.
The consultation survey included the measures in this project, in addition to a larger scheme covering as far South as Westbury Hill – Falcondale Road junction and changes in Westbury Village.
In March 2023, formal consultation (Traffic Order Regulation aka TRO) for the bus lane, waiting and loading restrictions, and U-turn ban were advertised in the local press, notices put up on lampposts and documents available to view at Council Offices and on the Council website. Statutory Notices were displayed for the crossings.
This is in line with the The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996.
How is this project being funded?
The first phase on Passage Road is being funded by the UK government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement secured by the West of England Combined Authority. It is set to cost £6 million.
This money cannot be spent on running council services, such as housing or general road maintenance.
The second phase includes transport improvements on the A4018 between Charlton Road and the junction with Westbury Hill and Westbury Road, which is expected to be funded by section 106 developer contributions negotiated by South Gloucestershire Council. Funding for this phase has not yet been allocated.
How long will the project take to complete?
It will take approximately two years to complete the work.
Will there be road closures?
The project will start with preparatory work in the lead up to Christmas, which will not include any road or lane closures before the new year.
The main roadworks will start in early 2025, which will include lane closures on the dual carriageway.
Passage Road will remain open for the majority of the construction phase, but there will be short periods when it will need to close for resurfacing, which is likely to be overnight. Signage will be displayed and diversions put in place.
Why doesn’t this project include other areas where congestion is worse?
This project is the first phase of wider transport improvements. Proposals for bus priority further south on the A4018 exist in outline form and will be worked up in future years when funding to implement them is available.
How will this impact congestion?
With all the general traffic in one lane more of the time, traffic flow is likely to be smoother than when there is jockeying for position merging, with reduced acceleration and sudden braking.
The bus lane will also improve the reliability of bus services which should help encourage more people to choose the bus for their journeys, especially those travelling from the new developments in South Gloucestershire.
Tree removal and replacement FAQs
Will the works include removal of greenery and trees?
The project will remove 21 trees, mainly saplings, from the central reservation and eastern side of the highway. The tree species being removed include 16 X Dawn Redwood, 1 x Hawthorn, 1 x Resistent Elm, 1 x Sycamore and 2 x Tulip Tree.
Why do you need to remove the trees?
The majority of the trees need to be removed as the central reservation needs removing to allow space for the cycle lane to be installed.
Will the trees be replaced?
Yes, we will be planting 29 new trees as shown in the consultation graphics.
What trees will be planted as replacements?
We will be planting smaller trees into tree pits on the ground. The appropriate species to replace each tree will be assessed nearer the time of planting to suit each individual location.
What will you be doing with the trees once they have been felled?
The pieces will be turned into woodchip. This will be graded and dried at the council’s Blaise depot.
The dry woodchip will then be used to fuel bio-mass boilers in various buildings, including some public buildings like schools and leisure facilities.
The woodchip produced will also be used to mulch around the base of next year’s newly planted trees. This acts as a weed suppressant, helping the soil retain moisture and increasing the nutrient levels as it breaks down.
What is Bristol’s commitment to planting trees?
Since 2015 we have planted more than 100,000 trees and continue to plant over 5,000 trees a year as part of our One Tree Per Child and Trees for Streets programmes.
Why are you consulting on tree felling?
We previously consulted on the tree removal through the public consultation on the whole scheme, which was signed off by the Transport Cabinet Member in 2021. This was the only means available to consult on tree removal at the time. There are now new rules that only came into force one we had progressed the project further into the start of delivery.
Return to the A4018 Passage Road Transport Improvements - Street tree felling consultation