Improving Concorde Way: Dovercourt Road consultation 2025
Overview
We want your views on new proposals to make Dovercourt Road, Petherbridge Way and Constable Road safer to walk and cycle along and to reduce through traffic using Dovercourt Road. We also ask if you would like more trees and planting along Dovercourt Road, instead of some of the existing on-street parking.
Dovercourt Road looking north from Downend Road
Dovercourt Road, Petherbridge Way and Constable Road are part of Concorde Way, one of Bristol’s key walking and cycling routes. Concorde Way runs from the city centre to Cribbs Causeway through St Pauls, St Werburghs, Ashley Down, Lockleaze and Stoke Gifford.
Concorde Way showing Petherbridge Way, Dovercourt Road and Constable Road
Why we are proposing changes to Dovercourt Road, Petherbridge Way and Constable Road
When we asked people about their experience of Concorde Way through earlier engagement in 2022, many people told us that there was too much traffic using the on-road section in Lockleaze and not enough space for pedestrians and cyclists.
We used traffic sensors to count traffic in the area, and this showed us that around 2,000 vehicles travel on Dovercourt Road on most days, which is high for an on-road cycling route.
The data also showed us that, at peak times, between half and three quarters of vehicle traffic using the road is through traffic, not local traffic.
We have investigated the option to create an off-road route alongside the railway. However, land ownership issues and the cost of a new bridge across the railway, makes this unviable.
What we are proposing
We are now proposing changes to make Dovercourt Road, Petherbridge Way and Constable Road safer and more pleasant to walk and cycle along. This aims to improve the whole on-road section of Concorde Way in Lockleaze to ensure a good connection between the off-road section at Ashley Down Station and the Bonnington Walk section.
Proposed changes include:
- A traffic filter on Dovercourt Road (road narrowing and bollards) to prevent through traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists would be able to travel through the traffic filter
- Four raised crossing points at the following locations:
- Dovercourt Road/Constable Road/Lockleaze Road junction
- On Dovercourt Road at the entrance to Muller Road Recreation Ground
- On Dovercourt Road by the path leading to Brook Bridge
- On Petherbridge Way next to Brook Bridge
- Planting and street trees along Dovercourt Road
- A zebra crossing and speed cushions on Constable Road
- Shared-use footways (pavements) and double yellow lines on Constable Road and Petherbridge Way
Further improvements are planned on Dovercourt Road as part of the Goram Homes development of the former Dovercourt Depot. These will include two more crossing points and improvements to tactile paving on Dovercourt Road and Downend Road.
The aim of Goram Homes’ changes is to slow down vehicles and make it easier for Disabled people and pedestrians to cross Dovercourt Road and the junctions with Elmore Road and Chedworth Road.
We are not asking for your views on Goram Homes’ works in this survey as they have been agreed as part of the planning application process.
The plans have been revised following feedback from 763 people who took part in a public consultation in 2025.
The updated plans include:
- A modal filter using bollards and road narrowing near the shops on Dovercourt Road, to prevent vehicles driving through while maintaining access for pedestrians and cyclists
- New trees and planting
- A raised zebra crossing and a two-way separated cycle path on Petherbridge Way
- Tactile paving at crossing points to make it easier for people with visual impairments to cross the road
Other transport measures, including speed cushions and raised crossings at junctions, will be delivered on Dovercourt Road as part of the Brooklands development of the former Dovercourt Road Depot site.
The proposals for shared-use pavements on Lockleaze Road have been dropped in response to the feedback to the consultation.
While views on the modal filter were mixed, recent traffic counts show more than 2,500 vehicles use Dovercourt Road each day. This is above the level at which national cycling design guidance recommends cyclists should be separated from traffic, but there is not enough space on Dovercourt Road to do this without removing all parking.
The location of the modal filter was one of two options that were consulted on. It has been chosen to maintain access to the shops from both directions; retain vehicle access to nearby residential garages; and create space for new trees and public space improvements in the surrounding area.
If the plans are approved by committee, the council will seek funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's Investment Fund programme to deliver the Concorde Way scheme.
Residents will have another opportunity to comment on measures that require a Traffic Regulation Order, including the proposed modal filter, through a formal public consultation.
Find out more about Transport and Connectivity Committee and download the full Concorde Way report.
Key dates
- Start date: 7 July 2025
- End date: 1 September 2025