Proposed changes to modal filters in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN)

Statutory consultation on proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN).

Following the latest round of engagement on East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN), a series of changes to the trial measures are now being proposed. This is in response to feedback from residents and key stakeholders between September and November 2025 and from data collected so far.

Feedback from the engagement exercise, including input from local emergency services, highlighted key interventions that we believe the community would welcome. We are keen to respond to this feedback and make targeted enhancements to the EBLN ahead of any decision on its long‑term future.

We are now consulting on the following changes to the trial measures:

Victoria Avenue – proposed removal of modal filter

We are proposing to remove the planters on Victoria Avenue to improve access for residents living on surrounding streets. The EBLN scheme was designed to prioritise sustainable travel, including walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport, by creating safer, more accessible routes across the area. One way this was achieved during the trial was by restricting certain vehicle movements using modal filters, such as planters in the street, which allow pedestrians and cyclists through but prevent through-traffic.

The Victoria Avenue modal filter was originally introduced to prevent vehicles diverting from Church Road, via Avonvale Road and Victoria Avenue, to bypass queuing traffic. Monitoring during the trial has shown reduced journey times on Church Road, likely due to less north to south through-traffic using residential roads and more people choosing sustainable travel modes. As a result, the closure on Victoria Avenue is now considered less necessary.

Many residents have also requested improved vehicle access because of the narrow road widths in this part of the neighbourhood. Removing the modal filter is therefore considered a reasonable adjustment that will improve accessibility without undermining the aims or benefits of the wider scheme.

Details of the changes can be viewed in the following documents:

Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane and Mildred Street – changes to improve local access and address traffic displacement

The trial arrangement includes bus gates on Avonvale Road and Marsh Lane, designed to prioritise sustainable travel, such as walking, wheeling cycling, and public transport, by preventing through-traffic between Feeder Road, Church Road, and St Phillips Causeway.

While this arrangement has supported sustainable travel, the lack of a junction between Feeder Road and St Phillips Causeway restricts vehicle movement options in this part of the neighbourhood.

As a result, some traffic has been displaced onto unsuitable routes, such as Herapath Street and Great Western Lane. The current arrangement has also made it more difficult to access key destinations in the southwest of the scheme area, including Wellspring Surgery, local shops and residential streets.

To address these issues, we are proposing a revised layout. This would reposition the bus gate on Avonvale Road to the east of Mildred Street, maintaining restrictions for through-traffic travelling from Feeder Road to Church Road, while improving access for local residents and businesses.

Mildred Street would be closed at the junction with Avonvale Road to prevent it becoming a through route, and the existing one-way restriction on Mildred Street would be removed. Access to Mildred Street would be from the north, via Tichborne Road.

The Marsh Lane bus gate would be taken out to enable the revised through route, therefore allowing access to Avonvale Road from the south, via Feeder Road and Marsh Lane.

We recognise that some residents who previously accessed Church Road from Marsh Lane via Avonvale Road will now need to use alternative routes, such as Barrow Road and St Phillips Causeway, or Feeder Road and Blackswarth Road. However, residents and businesses to the southwest of the proposed revised boundary will continue to benefit from reduced traffic levels and improved conditions for walking, wheeling, cycling, and other sustainable modes.

Details of the changes can be viewed in the following documents:

Ducie Road and The Avenue – proposed camera enforcement to enable through access for emergency services, taxis and permit holders

The trial layout uses bollards as modal filters at Ducie Road Bridge and The Avenue to prevent through‑traffic and maintain quieter, safer streets within the Liveable Neighbourhood.

While these restrictions have proved effective in reducing traffic volumes, feedback from Avon Fire and Rescue Service has highlighted that having to manually remove bollards can reduce emergency response times. With both Ducie Road and The Avenue identified as key access points where response times can be improved, we are proposing to replace the bollards with camera‑controlled enforcement.

This change would retain restrictions on general through‑traffic, helping to maintain safer and quieter streets, while enabling emergency services to travel through quickly and reliably.

Looking to enhance the benefits of camera enforcement, we are also proposing exceptions for taxis and approved Blue Badge Holders who would be issued permits enabling them to travel through these two proposed camera‑enforced modal filters without incurring a penalty. This exemption is proposed in response to feedback received from local residents. To receive the exemption, qualifying Blue Badge holders, would need to apply.

Qualifying Blue Badge holders include residents within the EBLN area, as well as Blue Badge holders who are registered with Wellspring Surgery.

Overall, the proposed camera enforcement and exemption process would create more flexible and inclusive access arrangements, that would reduce emergency response times and improve connectivity for people with mobility needs without compromising the wider aims of the Liveable Neighbourhood.

Details of the changes can be viewed in the following documents:

Tell us what you think

This consultation is open from Thursday 5 March and will close at midnight on Friday 27 March 2026.

We welcome all feedback, including comments of support. However, as part of the formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, the Council is only able to consider objections when deciding whether to go ahead with the proposals, make changes, or not proceed.

If you wish to object, your objection must explain what part of the proposal you are concerned about and why. This helps the Council understand any issues raised by the community before making a final decision.

Supportive comments will be recorded but they will not form part of the formal decision‑making process for a Traffic Regulation Order.

Submit comments/objections Consultation closes: 27 March 2026

What happens next

All comments will be collated and summarised for inclusion into a decision report for the Economy of Place Director to consider before making a decision on how the proposals are take forward – whether as advertised, modified further or abandoned.

Further information

Supporting documentation for the consultation:

Key dates

Start date: 5 March 2026
End date: 27 March 2026

Proposed changes to modal filters in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN)

Victoria Avenue – proposed removal of modal filter

Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane and Mildred Street – changes to improve local access and address traffic displacement

Ducie Road and The Avenue – proposed camera enforcement to enable through access for emergency services, taxis and permit holders

Tell us what you think

What happens next

Further information

Notice of proposals

Statement of reasons

Draft Traffic Regulation Orders

Consultation Plans

Key dates

Stay up to date with consultations and engagements