Overview
Through major changes to the number 2 bus route along the A37 and A4018, we are aiming to make bus journey times quicker and more reliable.
The project also sets out to make it easier and more pleasant to walk, wheel and cycle by improving public spaces and making the route more accessible for all road users.
Our aim is to provide a better travelling experience for people who travel actively or by public transport, to encourage more people to choose to make the switch over to sustainable transport, which will help reduce congestion and improve air quality.
It is all part of plans to transform Bristol’s road network, introducing quicker and more reliable bus travel, cleaner air, and improved active travel routes.
About
The project sets out to improve the 13-mile stretch of the number 2 bus route that travels through Bristol on the A37 to A4018, from Henbury in the north to Stockwood in the south of the city.
The aim is to:
- Make the number 2 bus service faster and more reliable and benefit other buses that use parts of this route
- Create quieter, cleaner, greener and safer roads
- Boost the number of people who walk, wheel, cycle and catch the bus
- Support and revitalise high streets by creating attractive public spaces where people want to stop and spend time
- Connect people to jobs, education, services and one another
- Improve local air quality and reduce CO2 emissions from transport
Main plans are:
- New bus lanes and bus prioritisation at traffic signals
- A network of joined up separated cycleways
- Improving public spaces with new paving, planting, trees and seating
- Making the route more accessible for pedestrians
- Upgrading bus stops and bus shelters
- Adding delivery bays and disabled parking bays
Early plans for north section of the route
- Installing dropped kerbs and tactile paving at side roads to make it easier to cross the road
- Improving pedestrian crossings at mini roundabouts
- Narrowing the width of some side roads that are unnecessarily wide
Plans for central section of the route
- Reducing Queens Road to one lane in both directions from Whiteladies Road to the Triangle
- Closing Park Street to through traffic using a bus gate at the top of Park Street and a bus lane at the College Green and Canons Road junction
- Closing Richmond Hill and Park Place at one end to prevent through traffic
- Closing Berkeley Avenue to general traffic
- Reversing the one-way direction on Park Street Avenue to include time restricted loading to allow the space to be used in the afternoon/evenings for pedestrian activities
- Introducing more areas of public space, including a large area in front of the Victoria Rooms on Queens Road
- Creating continuous segregated cycleways from the bottom of Whiteladies Road to Park Row
- Upgrading bus stops and installing new ones
- Adding e-scooter and cycle parking
- Widening pavements and improving crossings for pedestrians and cyclists
- Removing some parking on Queens Road, the Triangle and Park Street
- Adding loading bays, taxi ranks and disabled parking
Plans for south section of the route
- Creating a two-way separated cycle path on part of West Town Lane and Sturminster Road to link Whitchurch Way to Route 3 of the National Cycle Network
- Building a zebra crossing on West Town Lane
- Refurbishing a bus stop on Sturminster Road and moving a bus stop on West Town Lane
- Adding controlled pedestrian crossings at the Wells Road and West Town Lane junction
- New and upgraded crossing infrastructure around Stockwood
- Introducing inbound and outbound 12-hour bus lanes on Wells Road, running from Whitecross Avenue to the junction of Wells Road and West Town Lane
Investment and funding
The number 2 bus route project is being funded by the UK government as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
This funding can only be used on projects that boost sustainable transport and cannot be used for council services, such as bin collections, pothole repairs or housing. However, by improving bus and active travel routes, we can invest the money to create inviting public spaces, with new paving, planting and seating.
Find out more about CRSTS funding
How we got here
In 2020 we asked for suggested improvements to the number 2 bus route along the A37 and A4018. Based on this feedback we created detailed designs, which we consulted on from November 2021 to January 2022.
We then shared our updated plans for the central section of the number 2 bus route in January 2025.
The route
The number 2 bus route travels through Bristol along the A37 and A4018. This is a 13-mile transport corridor that goes from Henbury to Stockwood.
To the north of the city, the route starts from the south Gloucestershire boundary on Station Road, along Knowle Lane through to Southmead Road, onto Henleaze Road, over the Downs, and onto Whiteladies Road.
In the central section, the route goes from the bottom of Whiteladies Road, down Park Street, through Cabot Circus, over Bristol Bridge, along Victoria Street, past Temple Meads and over Bath Bridges.
Through the south section, the route goes from Three Lamps junction on the A37 and follows Wells Road through Knowle, past Airport Road, onto West Town Lane and into Sturminster Road.
Construction
We are delivering the number 2 bus route project in stages. This is because parts of the route are being constructed at different times as final designs are approved and contractors booked in to do the work.
Here we set out what work has started, when it is likely to complete, and what impact it is having on access for road users, including drivers, public transport, and pedestrians and cyclists.
We have divided the work up into the north, central and southern sections of the 13-mile route.
North section
The north section of the route goes from the South Gloucestershire boundary on Station Road, along Knole Lane through to Southmead Road, onto Henleaze Road, over the Downs and onto Whiteladies Road.
This part of the project is still in development and is expected get underway in late 2026 and early 2027.
Central section
The central section of the route goes from the bottom of Whiteladies Road, down Park Street, through Cabot Circus, over Bristol Bridge, along Victoria Street, past Temple Meads and onto Bath Bridges.
Parts of the central route have already been built, including improvements to Bristol Bridge.
Victoria Street
Construction work started in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by late spring 2026.
It includes installing a two-way segregated cycleway, upgrading Victoria Street’s Junction with Counterslip, upgrading three bus stops, adding crossing points that are at the same level as pavements, resurfacing the road and pavements. We will also be adding an electric vehicle charging area for taxis and one extra electric vehicle charging space for the public.
Victoria Street is closed one-way heading northwest bound from Temple Way to just before St Thomas Street.
This partial closure will be in place until the end of summer 2025. Access when travelling from Victoria Street towards Temple Way is being maintained.
Side streets leading onto Victoria Street will close at some points over the build.
Road resurfacing will take place overnight towards the end of the project.
College Green and Canons Road junction
Work to improve the junction began in August 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
It includes:
- replacing the outdated three-way traffic signals, which are hard to maintain and can have problems detecting vehicles, which can lead to traffic building up
- upgrading the pedestrian and cycle crossing, including better facilities for visually impaired pedestrians
- increasing the amount of pedestrian space by removing the left turn slip road out of Canons Road
- improving cycling links between Park Street and the city centre
There are temporary signals in place that are responsive to traffic build ups.
Access for pedestrians and cyclists is being maintained.
Diversions will be needed throughout the works when traffic will either be signposted to go via Anchor Road and Jacobs Wells Road, or via Park Row.
South section
The south section of the route starts from the Three Lamps junction on the A37 and follows Wells Road through Knowle, past Airport Road, onto West Town Lane and into Sturminster Road.
Improving active travel routes in Stockwood
Work is starting in November and is set to be completed by the end of 2026.
It includes:
- Creating a two-way separated cycle path between West Town Lane, where it meets Hither Bridge, and Sturminster Road, where it meets Manston Close. This will link Whitchurch Way to Route 3 of the National Cycle Network.
- Building a zebra crossing on West Town Lane between its junctions with Imperial Road and Hazelbury Road.
- Refurbishing a bus stop on Sturminster Road – a temporary bus stop will be provided.
- Moving the bus stop by Hither Bath Bridge on West Town Lane further up the road to between its junctions with Beryl Grove and Imperial Road. This will allow the pavement on West Town Lane to be shared by pedestrians and cyclists, allowing for an unbroken cycle route from Hither Bath Bridge across to Sturminster Road.
There will be temporary traffic signals in place throughout the works so expect some delays to your journey.
Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained.
The works will impact the number 2, 2a and the 36 and 515.
A small section of Imperial Road will be closed at its junction with West Town Lane for the contractor’s site compound.
Further works in 2026 and 2027
Work in Stockwood will take place in 2026 and 2027 and will be carried out in phases to limit disruption.
It includes adding:
- Controlled pedestrian crossings at the Wells Road and West Town Lane junction
- New and upgraded crossing infrastructure around Stockwood
- Traffic calming measures
- Inbound and outbound 12-hour bus lanes on Wells Road, running from Whitecross Avenue to the junction of Wells Road and West Town Lane
Events
Below you will find a series of upcoming events
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News and updates
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1 October 2025
Bus Route 2
Work to boost active travel in Stockwood to start in November
Construction work, to make it safer to walk, wheel and cycle through Stockwood, is starting in November 2025, as part of the project to improve the number 2 bus route through Bristol.
29 September 2025
Bus Route 2
Investing to improve key city centre junction
Work to improve a key city centre junction will begin on Monday 11 August in a bid to improve journeys for people travelling from the centre towards College Green and Park Street.