Traffic route changes as latest MetroBus stage gets underway

Drivers can expect some disruption to traffic routes in Bristol City Centre from today as the latest stages of work begins for the MetroBus scheme.

The following changes to traffic routes are being introduced:

• Vehicles heading from Rupert Street to Park Street and Anchor Road will no longer turn left at Electricity House.

Instead they will head straight on along the western section of Colston Avenue (in front of St Mary on the Quay) which will be made two-way

• Vehicles heading from Rupert Street to Baldwin Street will continue to turn left at Electricity House onto the eastern section of Colston Avenue (in front of the White Lion pub) as normal.

• Traffic heading from the eastern section of Colston Avenue will not be able to access the scissor junction.

The scissor junction will remain open for traffic heading from Broad Quay and Baldwin Street. A plan of the changes is attached to this email. The changes in traffic movements will allow the eastern section of Colston Avenue to be narrowed to a single lane. This will enable us to carry out construction works to permanently narrow the eastern section of Colston Avenue, widen footways and build a new taxi rank.

Following the opening of the new Baldwin Street Link in the spring, the road at the head of Electricity House will be permanently closed. At that point all traffic heading from Rupert Street onto the centre will travel straight on along the western section of Colston Avenue. The eastern section of Colston Avenue will become a taxi-only road that will be accessed from Christmas Street and Quay Street.

MetroBus have apologised for any disruption the works might cause and point out that - when it is up and running - the scheme will help reduce congestion and strengthen the city’s transport network.