Overview
We are planning a series of changes to make Redcliffe Way, Redcliffe Roundabout and Redcliffe Street safer for all.
Proposals include widening, re-paving and decluttering pavements, as well as introducing signalised crossings to make it easier to cross Redcliffe Way and the roundabout.
We’d create a separated cycle track connecting Temple Meads to Queen Square and Redcliff Hill. The new crossings would be segregated so that it is clear which areas are for walking and cycling.
We’re planning to extend bus lanes on Redcliffe Way to complete a loop around the city centre, making bus journeys quicker and easier. This would also give people more options to change buses without needing to go into the city centre.
New bus gates on Redcliffe Street would pave the way for a future rapid transit route between Long Ashton Park & Ride, Union Street and UWE’s Frenchay campus.
Phippen Street would be upgraded with a new junction so general traffic can still access the area via Victoria Street. Bus stops would be upgraded with new shelters, accessible kerbs and digital ‘real time’ information to find out when your bus will arrive.
Introducing 20-mph speed limits on Redcliffe Way would make it safer and easier to cross the road. We would also improve public spaces with new planting, seating and cycle parking.
About
We are proposing a series of changes to Redcliffe Way, Redcliffe Roundabout and Redcliffe Street.
Main proposals to improve pedestrian and cycling routes and public spaces:
- Enhanced public space between Redcliffe Bascule Bridge and Redcliffe Street with new planting, seating, and cycle parking.
- Improved crossings on Redcliffe Roundabout with separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Raised crossing points that are built up to the same height as pavements.
- New zebra crossing on Redcliffe Way to make it easier to cross from north to south.
- More public space with buildouts for trees, planting, drainage, and parking for e-scooters and e-bikes.
- New two-way cycle track on all arms of Redcliffe Roundabout, linking to cycle routes at Redcliffe Bascule Bridge and Temple Circus.
- Separate cycle track alongside the pedestrian route between Temple Meads and Queen Square (Brunel Mile).
- Two-way cycle track on Redcliff Hill connecting to Bedminster Bridges.
Main proposals for general traffic and bus priority:
- New bus gates on Redcliffe Street near Portwall Lane.
- Changes to Phippen Street junction so traffic can turn left or right onto Redcliffe Way – helping redirect vehicles that can’t use Redcliffe Street.
- New bus lane between Redcliffe Bascule Bridge and Redcliffe Way.
- New 20-mph speed limit on Redcliffe Way and around the roundabout.
- Upgraded bus stops with new shelters and live digital information screens with real-time bus information.
- Traffic calming measures, including flat-topped speed humps and zebra crossings at Pump Lane, Portwall Lane and Redcliffe Parade East.
- Smart traffic lights that detect buses and give them priority.
Investment and funding
The Redcliffe Way project is part of the wider city centre project that is expected to be funded by the UK Government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
How we got here
We consulted on this project in summer 2024 as part of the Bristol City Centre Transport Changes consultation.
We have since updated some of the designs based on feedback from the consultation, including:
- The crossing on Redcliffe Parade east has been redesigned to reduce conflict with a crossing raised to the same level as the pavements and a separate pedestrian and cycle path over the junction.
- Yellow boxes installed at junctions to prevent vehicles blocking access when queuing, particularly on Phippen Street and Redcliffe Roundabout.
- Taxi parking waiting to take account of the removal of parking on Victoria Street.
- A zebra crossing on the Phippen Street and Portwall Lane junction.
- New single-stage pedestrian crossing across Redcliffe Way to Phippen Street.
- Chatterton Square to remain open to motor traffic.
- A short section of westbound light segregated cycle track to be replaced with westbound bus lane on Redcliffe Way.
- Parallel crossing replaced with zebra crossing over Redcliffe Way, opposite Portwall Lane Gardens.
- Public space improvements to be delivered working with community organisations at Quakers Burial Ground, Freshford Lane and Portwall Lane Gardens (subject to confirmation from Bristol BID).
Construction
To limit disruption and better manage traffic flow through the area, we are building Redcliffe Way scheme in combination with the Bedminster Bridges scheme and will carry out the construction work in phases.
We are working on a full business case that will be submitted to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority in November 2025 that requests the funding to build the scheme.
If successful, we expect construction work to get underway in spring 2026.
Some early work has already started, for example we have closed the subway on Redcliff Hill that will make way for planting and a separated cycle path.
We will keep this page updated as the project progresses.
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News and updates
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23 October 2025
City Centre
Bristol on the Move website launches
A new website has launched to help people stay informed about three major transport projects in Bristol.
8 May 2025
City Centre
Major city centre transport schemes to be considered
Plans to deliver a multi-million pound investment in Bristol’s city centre transport network are set to be considered by councillors on the Transport and Connectivity Committee on 15 May 2025.
