STATUTORY CONSULTATION: Bristol Bridge Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). (Reference: CAE/RGW/EP‐1181)

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Consultation has concluded

Bristol City Council is making changes to how vehicles access some parts of the city centre. These changes are part of our Bristol Transport Strategy and aim to help meet air quality and 2030 climate goals by prioritising Public Transport (Buses and Taxis) and Active travel (Cycling and Walking) at key points on the transport network centred on Bristol Bridge.

From 2nd August 2020 new traffic priorities, in the form of bus lanes, will restrict general through-traffic on Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and Union Street. The changes will provide access for buses, taxis, cycles and solo motorcycles only. The location of the bus lanes can be viewed within the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

Access to the city centre for general traffic, for loading and car parks, will still remain using alternative routes via; Temple Way, Bond Street and Rupert Street. Where necessary, some vehicle movement restrictions have been suspended so general traffic can use these routes during the experimental period.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) is being used to implement the changes which can stay in force for a maximum of 18 months while the effects are monitored and assessed before the Council decides whether or not to continue with the changes on a permanent basis. During the first six months of the changes, 2 August 2020 to 1 February 2021, representations objecting or supporting the experimental measures can be made by submitting comments using the ‘Give Us Your Views’ link below.

Please note: all objections submitted via ‘Give Us Your Views’ will be included and responded to within a decision report for consideration by the Service Director: Economy of Place in 2021. A copy of the report, and the subsequent decision, will made available to everyone who has submitted objections through this statutory process.

For this reason we are unable to provide individual responses during the consultation period, however if you have any general queries regarding the operation of the ETRO, please direct these to transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk for response.

Objections/support should be submitted using ‘Give Us Your Views’.


Bristol City Council is making changes to how vehicles access some parts of the city centre. These changes are part of our Bristol Transport Strategy and aim to help meet air quality and 2030 climate goals by prioritising Public Transport (Buses and Taxis) and Active travel (Cycling and Walking) at key points on the transport network centred on Bristol Bridge.

From 2nd August 2020 new traffic priorities, in the form of bus lanes, will restrict general through-traffic on Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and Union Street. The changes will provide access for buses, taxis, cycles and solo motorcycles only. The location of the bus lanes can be viewed within the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

Access to the city centre for general traffic, for loading and car parks, will still remain using alternative routes via; Temple Way, Bond Street and Rupert Street. Where necessary, some vehicle movement restrictions have been suspended so general traffic can use these routes during the experimental period.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) is being used to implement the changes which can stay in force for a maximum of 18 months while the effects are monitored and assessed before the Council decides whether or not to continue with the changes on a permanent basis. During the first six months of the changes, 2 August 2020 to 1 February 2021, representations objecting or supporting the experimental measures can be made by submitting comments using the ‘Give Us Your Views’ link below.

Please note: all objections submitted via ‘Give Us Your Views’ will be included and responded to within a decision report for consideration by the Service Director: Economy of Place in 2021. A copy of the report, and the subsequent decision, will made available to everyone who has submitted objections through this statutory process.

For this reason we are unable to provide individual responses during the consultation period, however if you have any general queries regarding the operation of the ETRO, please direct these to transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk for response.

Objections/support should be submitted using ‘Give Us Your Views’.


Consultation has concluded

  • STATUTORY CONSULTATION: Bristol Bridge Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). (Reference: CAE/RGW/EP‐1181)

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    We asked

    A six-month statutory consultation was undertaken, from 2 August 2020 to 1 February 2021, to receive objections on the permanent introduction of bus lanes and other supportive measures that would change how general traffic accesses some parts of the city centre.

    An Experimental Traffic Order was used to install 24hr bus priority routes over Bristol Bridge and at key points accessing the city centre. Priority was provided to public transport, taxis, cycles and pedestrians travelling through the central area of Bristol.

    The six-month consultation period meant the public could experience the advantages and disadvantages of the priority measures, before giving their feedback on whether they should be permanent.

    For further information on the Bristol Bridge Experimental Traffic Order, visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/transport-plans-and-projects/changes-bristol-bridge

    You said

    • 865 representations were received in response to the statutory consultation.
    • 527 (61%) were objections, of which 40 expressed some support in principle.
    • 338 (39%) were comments of full support.

    Please read the following document providing summary of the public objections received and our response based on it. Objection summary and Officer responses.

    We did

    The consultation feedback was included in an objection report for consideration by the Interim Director Economy of Place, who subsequently reached a decision on 29 June 2021 to make the Experimental Traffic Order measures permanent.

    In making the decision, it was considered that the scheme would achieve elements of the council’s wider transport policies and strategies to achieve cleaner air and transform travel in the city.

    A copy of the *objection report as signed by Interim Director Economy of Place can be received upon request by emailing transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk

    * NB: The objection report provided upon request will be redacted for data protection and GDPR purposes. Relevant policy and strategy documents are referenced within the report