Traffic restrictions lifted as air quality improves

Traffic restrictions introduced seven years ago to improve air quality will finally be lifted, after monitoring showed pollution remains within legal limits.

The measures were introduced at the Hambrook junction on the A4174, near Bristol, in 2019 in a bid to reduce roadside nitrogen dioxide levels in the area.

South Gloucestershire Council announced earlier that normal traffic movements will soon be reinstated after national standards were met for two consecutive years.

The authority said work to reopen the junction, coordinated with resurfacing on the A4174 ring road, is expected to be completed by 27 April.

A national assessment by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2017 identified the area - between the M32 J1 and the Bromley Heath roundabouts - as being above the roadside nitrogen dioxide annual mean limit.

To achieve compliance, the council implemented several changes, including:

• Removing the right turn from the westbound A4174 onto the B4058

• Removing the right turn from the B4058 (Frenchay) onto the A4174

• Removing the straight ahead movement when leaving Frenchay on the B4058

The latest air quality assessment of the 2024 monitoring data shows roadside levels in the area now meet the national standards.

This represents the second year of compliance following success achieved in 2023, enabling the government to formally revoke the order in place.

Councillor Sean Rhodes said he was "delighted" at the news.

"We know how significant this junction is for road users, residents and local communities, and we have listened carefully to the concerns raised about the measures," he said.

"I recognise they have caused inconvenience and we have worked hard behind the scenes to secure clear direction from the government on this matter.

"We can remove the measures while continuing to closely monitor air quality so we can strike the right balance between traffic flow and environmental considerations."

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