Old Market Quietway

This is just one route that was announced as having received a portion of £3.4 million design funding obtained by BCC. The route follows on from segregated cycle infrastructure on Old Market Roundabout along Redcross Street, Braggs Lane, and Lawrence Hill Roundabout. This will provide a segregated cycle link between the Bristol to Bath path and improve the experience for people walking/wheeling between Lawrence Hill or Old Market, and the City Centre. The proposed changes are explained below in three sections and links to the survey, that closes on the 17th March 2024 can be found at links at the bottom of the page. 

• This section of the scheme is of high quality and builds on previous improvements to the Redcross Street/Braggs Lane junction. Starting from east to west, as always, the conversion of unused tarmac and parking spaces into a designated cycleway leading to a shared use area is highly appreciated. Residents of the building, of which one association member is, often encounter anti-social behaviour and this new use of the space will create a busy atmosphere that discourages this behaviour whilst providing an improved active travel link in the area. 
• The shared use area at the western end of the designated cycleway is not ideal but is understood, due to the space constraints and inability to provide an adequately place and visible pedestrian crossing over the cycleway before the pedestrian and cycle crossing over St Matthias Park to the traffic island and Redcross Street and Braggs Lane junction.
• The main issue we have identified with the section and scheme as a whole, is the widening of the footpath and tightening of the radius of the entrance to St Matthias Park by the shared use area. In principle this is not negative as it will slow traffic and reduce crossing distances, however it hinders the association’s St Matthias Park pedestrianisation project. This project proposes sections of St Matthias Park being pedestrianised either side of Redcross Street and New Street’s one way reversed, discouraging through traffic. This will need to be discussed in the proposed meeting between officers and the association as £300k has been assigned and progressed for the project. 
• While we recognise that the footway widening and removal of parking spaces will improve the active travel experience and discourage loitering, some residents may dislike the removal of most parking spaces on the street. Therefore, we don’t fully support this part until the views of residents have been considered. An alternative in which more parking is retained and active travel still improved should also be discussed. Perhaps reduced parking space numbers and all being placed onto one side of the street rather than as they are now with the west end being on one side and the east on the other. This would make a simpler line of travel for cyclists. 

• Segregation of the crossings in the east of section 2 is supported as these crossings have a high active traffic flow at peak times and this will improve safety and active traffic flow. 
• The reduction of general traffic lanes from two to one is supported as this is translated into increased greenery and a segregated cycle route. It is noted many travel through Newtown Park, but it is recognised that this will decrease as this high-quality Bristol-to-Bath-path connection is offered. 
• The continuation of the cycleway to the Lawrence Hill Roundabout, the addition of new crossings, and footway widening is highly supported on a route in which the ratio of motor-traffic space to active travel space is not appropriate for their usage, we appreciate the rebalancing of this. 

• Continuing the cycleway along the side of the roundabout is supported as a more visible and ‘safe’ alternative route to the often-dangerous underpasses and active travel junction in the middle of the roundabout.
• The widening of the shared use path is also appreciated, segregation is needed but space and funding constraints are recognised so this can be accepted.