Broadmead Transport Project Tree Removal Consultation
Broadmead Transport Project
This work falls under the wider City Centre transport corridor project, set to create a large amount of pedestrianised or pedestrian priority streets (about 10 tennis courts worth) and 1km of new protected cycle lanes.
Find out more about the Broadmead and wider City Centre projects on the Bristol on the Move website.
Changes to the Union Street, The Haymarket and Lewins Mead junction, include:
- Redesigning the pedestrian crossing
- Adding 2-way separated cycle paths, going from north to south on Union Street, and from east to west on The Haymarket and Lewins Mead
- Introducing a 2-way bus-only route along Union Street
- A new left-hand turn from The Haymarket for local access to The Horsefair and for buses to access Union Street and travel southbound (previously only northbound)
- A new right-hand turn junction to allow buses heading north from Union Street to join The Haymarket from the bottom of Union Street
- Retaining the right-hand turn for buses heading south from Lower Maudlin Street to join Bridewell Street from the bottom of Union Street
- Improving public spaces, including planting new trees
Proposal to remove 3 trees
We need to remove 3 trees to make space to create the cycle path, move the pedestrian crossing, and add the right-hand turn from Union Street to Haymarket.
2 of these trees also need to be removed to enable a section of the Bristol heat network to be installed. The route of the heat network was decided on the basis that the Broadmead project would remove these 2 trees. High levels of underground utility pipes and wires limits options for alternative routes. Removing the trees would also mean less disruption to traffic when the heat network is installed.
The 3 trees are silver maples, between 8 and 9 metres high, with one age classified as early mature and the other two as mature.
We would plant new trees to replace the 3 trees lost.
We are working through the designs of the scheme and, subject to detailed design and ground investigations, we are aiming to plant 30 or more new trees across the Broadmead project area.
Before photograph:
The photograph below shows the current road layout and the 3 silver maple trees proposed to be removed.
After artist impression (the dotted lines indicate where the trees are currently):
The image below shows an artist impression of the area and the new road layout, along with the proposed new trees, and we have highlighted the locations of the 3 trees to be removed.
Our commitment to trees
As a council, we are committed to increasing the number of trees in Bristol with 100,000 trees planted since 2015 as part of the One Tree Per Child and Trees for Streets programmes.
To mitigate the loss of these trees, we commissioned an independent tree survey to establish the condition of all the trees in the wider City Centre project area.
This information has been used when establishing the replacement requirements from the Bristol Tree Replacement Standard. We are planning to plant more trees than the number required by the Bristol Tree Replacement Standard.
Why we are consulting
We previously engaged on the wider City Centre project in 2024. It was outlined in this consultation that, as part of the Broadmead project (including the Union Street junction), some trees would be lost and replaced by a number of new trees. The scheme design, including the loss of these trees, was approved by the Transport and Connectivity Committee in May 2025.
This tree felling consultation is the statutory consultation, required by law, you can read our consultation notice here.
Information about Broadmead and the wider City Centre Project
You can find out more about the City Centre project on the Bristol on the Move website.
Tell us what you think
Submit your comments about this tree felling notice here:
Alternatively, you can write to: Broadmead/City Centre Project, Transport Engagement, PO BOX 3399, 100 Temple Street, Bristol, BS1 9NE
Further information
Why we are proposing to fell the trees
The Broadmead project proposes improved cycle paths, bus lanes and pedestrian routes. 3 trees need to be removed to create space for the cycle path, pedestrian crossing, and the left and right-hand turn bus junctions. We have considered alternate designs that would retain the trees, but ultimately the decision to remove the trees was deemed unavoidable to deliver the transport improvements for the city.
How the project and associated tree felling align with Bristol’s own policies and standards for development
The proposed changes to Broadmead aims to improve public transport sustainability and accessibility. The scheme covers several sites within the Broadmead area to create safer and well-connected public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
We have also published supplementary planning documents and other planning guidance, notably the City Centre Development & Delivery Plan part A & B, which details the vision for the area where the trees are to be removed. The proposed designs align with the vision set out by consolidating vehicle movements, introducing the necessary bus and cycle lanes, and creating larger pockets of open green space that maximises tree planting opportunities.
As part of the proposed scheme, additional trees are proposed to be planted, in accordance with Bristol’s Tree Replacement Standard as set out in Bristol City Council’s Planning Obligations SPD and planting more trees than the number removed. The net impact aligns with Bristol’s Tree and Woodland Strategy and will also contribute to delivering Bristol’s ambition to double the tree canopy cover of 2018 by 2050, as set out in Bristol’s One City Plan.
The types of trees being felled
The 3 trees that are proposed to be felled are medium-sized silver maples. An arboriculture assessment of the trees has taken place that classified them as category B, which is defined as moderate quality
Relocation of trees
Due to the size of the trees to be felled, it is not possible for them to be replanted elsewhere and survive.
What we would do with the trees once they have been felled
The trees will need to be cut down in sections as this will be much safer that attempting to fell the whole tree at once. The branches and trunks will be turned into woodchip. This will be graded and dried at the council’s Blaise depot. The dry woodchip will 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.
Planting more trees
Within the Broadmead project, Bristol would need to plant 11 trees to compensate for the loss, to be in accordance with the Bristol’s Tree Replacement Standard. Additional opportunities for tree planting have been identified within the public realm design of the scheme, bringing the total number of trees proposed for the Broadmead project to over 30, which we aim to deliver, subject to detail design and below-ground conditions.
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.
Bristol is committed to tree planting to increase green space and habitats, whilst improving micro-climates in urban spaces. We aim to maximise the opportunity to plant trees in highways and public realm projects wherever possible.
The tree species to be planted
At this stage the species of the proposed trees have not been determined. However, the choices will align with Bristol City Council’s existing policies and strategies on the matter. Consideration will be given to relevant concerns, such as prioritising native species, sourcing trees from local nurseries, creating more habitats, and providing sufficient canopy cover to mitigate climate change effects.
Please refer to the following for more information on Bristol’s approach to tree planting:
When the new trees would be planted
Trees will be planted near the latter end of the Broadmead project construction stage, during an appropriate planting season to ensure the long-term health of the new trees.
Road closures during tree felling
There may be a small temporary pedestrian diversion and potentially a brief lane closure on The Haymarket to ensure that the works are carried out safely. We will work to minimise any disruption.
Key dates
- Start date: 3 November 2025
- End date: 1 December 2025