Disruption as city centre revamp begins

Drivers and bus passengers face weeks of disruption as a city centre revamp begins.

A section of Broadmead at Union Street's junction with The Haymarket is being rejuvenated to prepare the area for thousands of new residents, Bristol City Council leaders have said.

Broadmead's sails structure and food kiosks are being removed, and new street lighting is being installed as part of the project running throughout June.

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee, said: "Removing structures that no longer serve the area will give us the space we need to deliver a better connected, more liveable city centre."

The first phase of work will see new street lighting installed, with some overnight road closures in place.

A pedestrian crossing may be closed at times during the works, with a temporary crossing installed if required.

The Haymarket, between St James Barton Roundabout and Rupert Street, and access to The Horsefair will be closed overnight from 14 to 18 June to allow the Bristol Shopping Quarter sails and mast structure to be removed.

The closures will be in place from 21:00 to 06:00, with diversions operating throughout. Several bus services, including the m1, m2, m3 and m4, will also be affected.

Council leaders said they want to transform Broadmead's public spaces and roads to make the city centre more "welcoming and ready" for an extra 5,000 people in the city.

Thousands of new homes are being built in the city centre, including a 28-storey block of 422 student bedrooms and an 18-storey tower of 142 co-living rooms.

By 2027, the council wants to transform the pedestrian crossings, adding a two-way separated cycle route, introduce a two-way bus-only route along Union Street, create new public spaces and reduce traffic on high footfall streets.

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