Advice, support and information about the cost of living crisis

Coronavirus (COVID-19): road changes, new cycle lanes and suspensions of parking bays

Latest changes, pedestrianisation of the Old City, how to make a suggestion and plan your journey.

We're opening up road space usually reserved for parking and driving to cyclists and pedestrians to:

  • allow better social distancing, especially in local shopping areas
  • encourage people to travel by bike or walk
  • reduce air pollution
  • allow businesses to trade outdoors

We're monitoring the impacts of the changes and we'll consult with local residents, businesses and ward councillors before making any changes permanent.

Changes made

  • Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street: closing the roads to general through-traffic to give priority to pedestrians, cycling and public transport.
  • Upper Maudlin Street, Marlborough Street and Park Row: new protected cycle lanes by reducing two traffic lanes to one, and removal of parking and traffic lane where necessary to widen pavements for pedestrians.
  • Lewins Mead: creation of new cycle lane. A new bus lane has also been installed on Haymarket, which cyclists can share after leaving the Lewins Mead bike lane.
  • Cotham Hill: Two sections of the road is closed to motorists between Whiteladies Gate and Hampton Lane, and between Hampton Park and Abbotsford Road. This provides outdoor space for traders, pedestrians and cyclists. Space for loading, disabled parking, and drop off/pick up points will be available at each end of the closed areas.
  • Clifton Village: suspension of parking bays on Princess Victoria Street between Regent Street to The Mall, and The Mall between Princess Victoria Street.
  • Westbury Village: parking bays suspended and pavements widened in retail area.
  • Clifton Triangle: widened pavement and cycle lane introduced in retail area through parking bay suspension and traffic lane removal.
  • King Street: widened pavement in recreational area through suspension of parking bays and timed street closure.
  • Mina Road, St Werburgh's:  new protected cycle route along Mina Road on its eastern side to improve safety for southbound cyclists along this stretch and improve visibility along the road for all users. This has also involved the removal of on street parking along the eastern side of Mina Road from the railway tunnel southwards to the junction of Mina Road and Mercia Drive.
  • Counterslip near Bristol Bridge: new protected bike lanes
  • Merchants Road Bridge, Hotwells: creating a safe social distancing one way system for pedestrians, including an improved road crossing facility.

Cycle route map

See our pdf Bristol cycle route map (455 KB)  for existing, new and planned cycle routes in Bristol.

Pedestrianisation of the Old City 

We have now made changes to pedestrianise parts of the Old City by closing the roads to traffic for specific parts of the day.

See the changes in pdf our pedestrianisation map (126 KB)  .

These changes have been made sooner than planned because of coronavirus (COVID-19) in part to:

  • allow for social distancing
  • enable businesses to make use of the outdoor space

These timed road closures are temporary, and can last for a maximum of 18 months. 

During this period the we will assess how these temporary measures are working and launch a full consultation to make these changes (or similar) permanent.

  1. In place: Parking Suspensions across the Old City
  2. In place: Corn St, Clare St, St Stephens and St Nicholas St closures with morning loading window 5:30am to 10:30am, Monday  to Saturday 
  3. In place: Broad St limited closures, Thursday and Friday evenings and weekends
  4. Autumn 2021: Changes to be made permanent, subject to statutory consultation that will be held as part of the traffic regulation order process

Parking

We've suspended all parking bays and parking permits in the streets below in the Central Parking Zone (CPZ). 

This will allow us to widen the pavements, enable pedestrianisation and allow better social distancing:

  • Baldwin Street 
  • St Stephens Street 
  • St Stephens Avenue 
  • Clare Street 
  • Broad Street 

This suspension could last for several months, depending on government guidance. 

Blue badge parking 

Four additional blue badge bays are being installed on High Street. This will be reviewed and feedback on the need for further blue badge bays in the area is welcome.

Blue badge parking on double yellow lines will continue when roads are open as long as it does not block roads or pavements. 

Loading and deliveries

You'll still be able to access all streets for loading and deliveries between the hours of 5:30am to 10:30am. 

Additional loading bays will be installed outside of the area on High Street and Broad Street.

Parking permits

Any parking permits affected by this change will now be valid in:

  • Redcliff Street
  • High Street
  • Marsh Street (Queen Square Side of Baldwin Street)
  • Queen Charlotte Street

Check other planned road closures and current roadworks on Travel West Go to https://travelwest.info/ (opens new window).

Plan your journey

Plan your journeys using:

Check operator websites for coronavirus (COVID-19) safety advice for travelling on public transport.

Tell us about a problem with a form, page or Citizen Portal account