South Bristol Link - route selection

The South Bristol Link (SBL), as one of the Travel+ projects, is considering options to link the A370 near Long Ashton Park & Ride to the A4174 Hartcliffe roundabout. Phase 1 would link the A370 to the A38; Phase 2, the A38 to Hartcliffe roundabout; a distance of approximately 3 miles.

It is currently proposed to progress Phases 1 and 2 together as this saves duplication, would reduce costs, and improve linkages to South Bristol at an earlier date. Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council are managing the project.

Over the winter of 2008  we asked people questions about the scheme and In June 2009 we published the report of the consultation we carried out. The information we gave and questions we asked can be read here.

Information about the route options we consulted on is available in the Consultant's Option Appraisal Report

A report on progress went to the Joint Transport Executive on 1 October 2009 that explained how the various route options had been reduced to two

Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council have chosen option 4 plus (inner highway alignment) over option 5 plus (outer highway alignment) as the 'preferred option'.

The decision was based on the project objectives;

- To facilitate regeneration and growth in South Bristol and the development area proposed in the draft RSS

• Whilst both options would improve access into South Bristol, the inner would also provide a direct road link to Brook Gate (South Liberty Lane), one of the most deprived areas in the country.
• North Somerset has objected to the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the draft Regional Spatial Strategy in respect of the location and scale of the proposed SW Bristol urban extension within the Green Belt.  The Council does not accept that the proposal is either desirable or deliverable within the RSS timeframe. In this context, the inner option is favoured because it is co-located to the urban area and, hence, minimises adverse impact on the Green Belt.

• The inner is more effective than an outer alignment at helping limit congestion on the area’s most congested routes, such as Parson Street Gyratory and Winterstoke Road.

• The inner highway alignment makes a greater contribution to the strategic highway network than an outer alignment because it involves less diversion than would an outer alignment.

Other considerations included

• Both options include Rapid Transit, cycling and walking on the inner alignment. There is less adverse impact on the Green Belt in placing the highway on this same alignment rather than another alignment.
• The inner alignment largely follows the edge of urban development therefore has less visual impact and less impact on landscape character. The outer alignment has significant impact upon landscape character and visual intrusion.
• The inner alignment has less impact on Highridge Common.
• The inner alignment [the red route] is safeguarded in the North Somerset Replacement Local Plan from development that would prejudice implementation of the scheme. This means the proposal has gone through a formal process of consultation and debate, with opportunities for discussion in front of an independent inspector, and challenge through the courts. It therefore has considerable weight in the planning system, the route appears on legal searches, and can be used to support compulsory purchase order.
• Both options require a Rapid Transit crossing under the railway and whilst the inner alignment also requires a highway crossing, this would not involve significant additional technical issues.   

We are currently consulting on the preferred scheme - read the information and help us with your answers

The project will be progressed in stages.  The first stage includes establishing the extent to which a scheme would contribute to the regeneration of South Bristol and other objectives. The work involves preparation of the full Business Case (which is the basis of the bid to government for initial approval for funding, termed 'Programme Entry'). Subsequent work will be needed to progress planning procedures (including detailed design and environmental studies, planning approvals, Orders, Public Inquiry).  The project (Phases 1 and 2) is planned for construction between 2014/15 -2016/17.

Read about the major scheme process