How we're supporting sustainable transport
Our One City Climate Strategy found that:
- a third of the city's direct emissions come from transport
- without further action, transport will still account for over a third of our emissions by 2030
To be carbon neutral by 2030:
- 90 per cent of cars must be electric
- car journeys must be reduced by 40%
Bristol City Council is responsible for strategic transport planning and maintenance of the city's roads, pavements and cycle paths.
We're not responsible for:
- motorways within the city's boundaries
- a section of the A4 at Avonmouth
- bus services that are operated independently by First Bus
The West of England Combined Authority coordinates transport strategy and delivery across the region. It has:
- specific powers to improve bus services
- plans to improve rail links through the MetroWest programme
What we've done to support sustainable transport
Walking and cycling
We've made improvements to roads, cycle paths and pavements at:
- Airport Road
- Stoke Park Path
- Wedmore Vale and Northern Slopes
- Old Market
- Prince Street
- Whitehouse Street
- Mina Road
We have also:
- closed Bristol Bridge to cars to improve bus access through the city centre
- pedestrianised sections of:
- the Old City and King Street in the city centre
- Cotham Hill
- Clifton Village
- changed the layout of Temple Gate to improve walking, cycling and public transport
- installed seven school streets to improve safety and emissions around schools
- worked with the West of England Combined Authority to deliver the new Portway Train Station
Buses
We supported:
- the introduction of the m1 metrobus service in January 2019
- bus operators to introduce 99 BioGas buses across the West of England, in partnership with WECA
How we're supporting the use of electric vehicles
With other West of England local authorities, we installed over 120 new electric vehicle charging bays. These include four Rapid EV charging hubs operated by Revive network.
We're supporting people and businesses to move away from driving more polluting vehicles as part of the Bristol Clean Air Zone.
We helped Zedify, a zero emissions delivery service, to set up a place near the city centre where deliveries are made by lorry. These goods are then delivered to houses and businesses by electric bikes and vans. Zedify and other similar delivery services are now operating successfully in the city.
We supported e-scooter trials.
We've replaced 10% of our own vehicles which we use to deliver our services (our fleet) with electric vehicles.
How we're supporting sustainable travel in the future
Find more details of our transport plans, including the Bristol Transport Strategy and the regional Joint Local Transport Plan, in our Transport plans and projects section.
Read The West of England Combined Authority's (WECA) local cycling and walking infrastructure plan.
Our own vehicles
We're looking into ways to replace 100% of our fleet with electric vehicles before 2030.
Walking, cycling and public transport
We're creating more segregated walking and cycling routes through the city centre.
There are several projects underway on important roads into the city, which will:
- give buses priority
- improve the walking and cycling experience
Through our travel support and bike loans, we'll continue to help people, businesses and communities who are interested in making more journeys by walking, cycling or by bus.
Find information about cycling in Bristol or visit the Better by Bike website which we fund with our neighbouring authorities.
We're providing priority for buses on some roads, for example, a bus lane and better walking and cycling routes and paths along the A4 Portway. We're also working with the West of England Combined Authority on transport corridor improvements that will help busses.
We’re working with WECA to deliver residential on-street cycle hangars.
We’re also developing plans for a freight consolidation hub to support more deliveries by e-cargo bike.
Support for cleaner travel
We're piloting Bristol's first liveable neighbourhood in East Bristol. The project aims to:
- make streets safer
- give people the confidence to walk and cycle more regularly
- allow communities to flourish
Through our Revive network, we're installing:
- 10 rapid EV charge points for taxi and private hire fleet operators
- 2 to 3 ultra-rapid charge-point hubs for commercial and public users
Through the Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence, we're loaning around 60 electric vans, cars and taxis and giving advice and support to businesses that want to replace their vehicles.
Together with neighbouring authorities, we're developing plans for a mass transit system.
In partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, we'll build mobility hubs to offer different travel options in one place. For example:
- bike hire
- e-scooters
- bus
- e-cargo bikes
We're working with partners to create a new railway stations at Ashley Down.