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

Archived

We ran a statutory consultation on proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN).

We asked

Between 5 March 2026 and 27 March 2026, we asked for comments and objections on proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN). These included:

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

An online consultation survey was available to respondents. Alternative formats such as Easy Read, braille, large print, printed surveys, and translation to other languages were available on request.

You said

A total of 278 responses were received.

We did

Following feedback from the consultation, the Economy of Place Director approved the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders.

This means the following changes to EBLN:

Reopening Victoria Avenue West to traffic, between its junctions with Byron Street and Morse Road, which includes removing the planters, associated signage and road markings.
Moving the bus gate on Avonvale Road to the east of its junction with Mildred Street and closing Mildred Street to through-traffic. This will allow a left turn from Marsh Lane onto Avonvale Road, improving access to the Wellspring Centre and Days Road. A bus gate will remain across Avonvale Road, preventing vehicles turning right between Marsh Lane and Avonvale Road.
Removing the bus gate on Marsh Lane, between Glendare Road and Barton Court, to improve vehicular access between Feeder Road, Barton Hill, and St Philip's Causeway, and to support businesses in the area.
Replacing bollards on The Avenue and Ducie Road Bridge with camera enforcement, improving access for emergency services and allowing drivers with EBLN exemptions, such as taxi drivers and Blue Badge holders, to use these routes.

Further information

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:

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)

We asked

You said

We did

Further information

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

Supporting documentation for the consultation

Notice of proposals

Statement of reasons

Draft Traffic Regulation Orders

Consultation Plans

Key dates

Related links

Stay up to date with consultations and engagements