New bus lane on Filton Avenue
02 July 2009
A new bus lane will be installed on part of Filton Avenue to help improve bus punctuality and reliability, reduce journey times and encourage more people to use buses, helping to cut congestion.
The bus lane will be installed on the northbound part of Filton Avenue heading towards the A4174, between Stanley Avenue and the junction with Station Road (A4174).
The new lane will enable buses to avoid northbound traffic queues during the rush hour. It will be an entirely new lane alongside the existing one for motorists.
This will improve the service to a range of commuter destinations, including the MOD, AXA, Cribbs Causeway and Bristol Parkway, as well as residential areas such as Bradley Stoke.
Work on the scheme is expected to start the week commencing July 13 and will be completed in October.
During this time the southbound part of Filton Avenue, between the Station Road (A4174) junction and Stanley Avenue, will be closed to traffic heading towards the centre of Bristol.
Northbound traffic on Filton Avenue heading towards Station Road (A4174) will continue as normal.
Traffic travelling along Station Road (A4174) that would have turned left onto Filton Avenue will instead follow a diversionary route, continuing along Station Road (A4174), then onto Gloucester Road North (A38), then Filton Road (A38), then Muller Road, then onto Filton Avenue.
Bus services heading towards the city centre that would have turned onto Filton Avenue at the Station Road (A4174) junction will follow a similar diversion route. The services are:
• 70 – UWE to the city centre
• 71/72 – Bradley Stoke to the city centre
• 73 – Cribbs Causeway to city centre
• U1 / U2 / U5 – Ulink services from UWE to the city centre
To maintain a service along Filton Avenue, a free shuttle bus will be in operation during the duration of the works.
It will run from Station Road (A4174) by the King George VI pub, then along Gloucester Road Road North (A38), then Northville Road, then along Filton Avenue, Wessex Avenue and Gloucester Road. There will be temporary bus stops in place along the route of the shuttle bus.
Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “The additional bus lane will be an entirely new stretch of road and is one of a number to reduce delays for commuters and improve the bus network in South Gloucestershire.
“I would like to thank the public in advance for their patience and understanding during this period.”
The scheme is part of the £70million investment to create 10 ‘showcase’ bus routes across the West of England region.
For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/gbbn
Meanwhile work is progressing on a £100,000 scheme to improve road safety on Filton Avenue, at the junctions with Northville Road and Ninth Avenue.
Following consultation with local residents, the scheme includes installing speed tables at the existing crossing points to improve safety for pedestrians, extension of the existing “no waiting at any time” restrictions and upgraded street lighting to improve visibility.
To enable the works to be completed, on Sunday 5 July Ninth Avenue and Northville Road (at the junctions with Filton Avenue) will be temporarily closed between approximately 7am and 3.30pm.
Also on Sunday 12 July, a 40m section of Filton Avenue (at the junctions with Ninth Avenue and Northville Road) will be temporarily closed, again between approximately 7am and 3.30pm.
Signs will be erected on each of the days to advise motorists of diversion routes. A shuttle bus will be provided to link up with the diverted bus routes. Information on this will be displayed on affected bus stops.
For more information on this road safety scheme ring 01454 863640 or email transportservices@southglos.gov.uk
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