Local Plan review and Urban Living consultation

Bristol Council has been consulting on proposed changes to the Local Plan policies. This is a scheduled review to reflect changes over the last 5 years. A particular theme is “Urban Living”, which is a policy that prioritises housing growth in certain city areas, with denser development, primarily on brownfield sites.… Continue reading

Which way for the Bristol & Bath Railway Path?

An urban experiment

The Bristol & Bath Railway Path carries over two million journeys each year, and is one of the UK’s most popular traffic free walking and cycling routes. It was built in the early 1980s by Sustrans, with help from many local volunteers, and turned a derelict railway line into a valuable amenity and green space.… Continue reading

Nelson Street plans

BWA has submitted comments on draft plans for Nelson Street. The plans, funded by the Cycling Ambition Fund programme, include a segregated contraflow cycle lane. The plans aim to be pedestrian-friendly, but the space available is heavily constrained by the requirement that buses should be able to go past each other at bus stops.… Continue reading

Bristol Walking Alliance writes to Metro Mayor candidates

Dear West of England Metro Mayor candidate,

Bristol Walking Alliance is a coalition of over twenty organisations campaigning to improve the walking environment within the city. We want the Metro Mayor to take bold and visionary decisions to make cities and towns in the West of England world-class places for walking, and we seek your support.… Continue reading

Some examples of poor walking infrastructure – 1

Carol Freeman responds to BWA’s invitation to suggest examples of poor walking infrastructure. BWA will collect other examples and will then choose its top few examples for campaigning.

Queen’s Rd/Old Habitat location
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of students and others walk down through the back roads of Clifton and try to cross Queen’s Rd opposite the old Habitat every day.… Continue reading

Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy

BWA has responded to the government’s consultation on a cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS). The commitment to producing a CWIS came into being as part of the Infrastructure Act 2015 and followed intensive campaigning from environment, health and transport groups.

BWA’s response states that:

  • The amount of government funding described by CWIS is insufficient. There remains a huge imbalance in the level of investment for the different transport modes, and the health, wellbeing and economic benefits of walking and cycling are not being recognised. Continue reading “Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy”