Resilient River Frome Enhancement Consultation 2025 - Riverside Park
About Riverside Park
Riverside Park is located in St Jude's, south of Junction 3 of the M32, close to Bristol city centre. The park is part of the Frome Gateway Regeneration Area which aims to support the delivery of thousands of new homes, including new affordable housing, alongside new workspaces, community services and upgraded infrastructure.
The River Frome runs in a channel along the east boundary of the park. Alongside the river, a pedestrian and cycle route forms part of the Frome Valley Walkway. The approved Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework includes aims to improve green and public spaces such as Riverside Park and to restore the River Frome as a thriving ecological corridor.
Why are we proposing changes to Riverside Park and the river?
When we engaged with local communities about the Frome Gateway Spatial Regeneration Framework in 2019, people told us they want to open up access to the River Frome within Riverside Park. The River Frome and Riverside Park were recognised as having huge potential to contribute more to public enjoyment, wildlife and climate resilience.
Further public engagement completed in 2023 showed continued support to clean up litter from the river, open up the riverbank, and improve people’s access to walk along and sit next to the river.
We have secured grant funding from central government to manage flood risk in the Frome catchment and some of this money can be used to make improvements along the River Frome in Riverside Park. This money must be spent on this project, and it is not taking money away from other council priorities. You can read more about the government funding for this project in 'Further information'
We have developed concept designs for changes in Riverside Park that should reduce flood risk and create a better river environment and public space for local residents, businesses and people that visit the area. We want these changes to achieve the following:
Improve resilience to flooding and climate change
We propose to reduce the risk of flooding by making space for water during a flood and help the area to be more resilient to our changing climate.
Create a community space for existing and new residents to enjoy and to support local regeneration
We propose to:
- Improve the park so it’s more attractive for everyone to spend time in and so it becomes a central feature of the regeneration area
- Encourage everyone to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors
Reveal the river and make it more visible
We propose to:
- Lower the walls alongside the river so that everyone can see the river from the footpath
- Create seating areas where people can look out at the river
Make the park feel welcoming and safe
We propose to:
- Encourage people to use the park more so that it benefits from natural surveillance and feels like a safer space
- Improve lighting (but use lights that are wildlife friendly)
Ensure the park is inclusive and accessible
We propose to make sure that new areas of the park are designed so they are accessible to everyone and usable by all.
Restore the health of the River Frome
We propose to:
- Improve access for teams to remove litter from the river. This will help to create safer habitats for wildlife and improve water quality by reducing chemicals leached into the water from litter
- Install oil interceptors onto highway drains that discharge into the river. This will help improve the water quality within the river
Improve biodiversity and opportunities for wildlife
We propose to:
- Prune trees on the riverbanks and remove invasive species so more light reaches the river and plants and wildlife can thrive
- Create new, diverse areas of marginal planting along the river edge and plant a wider range of trees within the park to support aquatic species and terrestrial wildlife
- Improve the culvert to enhance access for eels
Have your say
In this consultation, we ask for your views on our proposals for improvements to Riverside Park and the river channel. Your feedback will help steer the next design phase.
This consultation is open from 2 June 2025 and will close at midnight on 14 July 2025.
Please take part in our survey and submit by 14 July 2025 to make sure your views are considered.
Alternative formats
If you need this consultation survey as a paper version, Easy Read, Braille, large print, British Sign Language, or in another language, or other alternative format, you can request this by emailing resilientfrome@bristol.gov.uk or by calling 0117 922 2848.
Consultation events
You can attend the following consultation events:
- Sunday 8 June, 2pm to 5pm, come find us in Riverside Park Bristol to discuss the proposed changes to the River Frome and Riverside Park. Booking is not required.
- Thursday 12 June, 1pm to 2pm, book a place to join an online webinar to hear further information about the project and an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
- Wednesday 18 June, 12 noon to 6pm, visit an exhibition at Lost Horizon, 1-3 Elton Street BS2 9EH. Booking is not required.
- Wednesday 2 July, 11am to 12pm, book a place on a Riverside Park walking tour to discuss the River Enhancement project to find out more.
What happens next?
All responses to this consultation will be analysed and the feedback will help us develop our proposals for Riverside Park and the river. A decision on taking the proposals forward to detail design will be taken in summer 2025 by council officers on behalf of the council’s Economy and Skills Policy Committee. The responses to this consultation will be considered when making their decision.
If the decision is taken to continue work on the proposals for Riverside Park, we anticipate the project would be completed by spring / summer 2027.
