Bristol Regional Cycling Hub engagement survey

Further information

Why are you building it in Lawrence Weston and Shirehampton?

There are a limited number of sites in Bristol that meet the criteria we need. Any new site must be big enough for a 1km closed loop cycling track, Bikeability training area, bike storage, workshops, offices, meeting rooms and Changing Places toilet facilities. We chose the site to complement the existing BMX track and create a fantastic cycling facility for all ages and abilities from across the West of England.

It would be a place for all to learn to cycle in a safe, traffic free space with the help of qualified Bikeability cycling instructors (formerly cycling proficiency), and individual and club level sports cycling coaching.

It would provide a community asset, jobs, and volunteering opportunities to the area, meeting objectives within the Lawrence Weston Community Plan.

It will be a major strategic project run and owned by Bristol City Council.

How does the new facility fit in with Bristol City Council's aims?

Cycling is an important part of our sustainable transport, urban development, public health, and socio-economic goals.

By providing Bikeability training to all, Bristol Regional Cycling Hub would support our current and future cycle infrastructure projects by enabling all participants to learn the skills to cycle safely on our roads and cycle paths.

By offering leisure activities alongside a programme of sporting activities and cycle training, the flagship Cycling Hub would help to boost levels of cycling and physical activity in Bristol and across the region.

Bristol Regional Cycling Hub would replace Bristol Cycling Centre in Hengrove, south Bristol. This is a temporary facility at the Old Whitchurch Athletics Track in Bamfield, which is earmarked for housing development. 

What is Bristol Cycling Centre?

Bristol Cycling Centre is a cycling facility in Hengrove, south Bristol that gives people of all ages and abilities the chance to ride various kinds of bikes in a traffic-free environment. It offers a regular timetable of drop in and learn to ride and disability sessions. It also offers Bikeability training, bike maintenance sessions and volunteering opportunities. Find out more about Bristol Cycling Centre.

Why are you moving Bristol Cycling Centre?

We always knew that the track at Hengrove would be a temporary home and our time on the site will end in 2027.

New housing, which is desperately needed in Bristol, is planned for Hengrove Park. There are also new sports facilities being taken forward in south Bristol, including moving St Bernadettes Old Boys Rugby Club and playing pitches to a purpose-built facility at Fulford Road, Hartcliffe. A new BMX route has also opened at Wilmot Park.

The site in Lawrence Weston and Shirehampton is similar to our Hengrove site, although, as it would be purpose-built, it would allow us to provide even more services than we currently do. Bristol Cycling Centre has always been used by people from all over Bristol and further afield. We hope they would continue to do so at our new and improved facility and that even more people would give it a try.

Why have people in hi-vis been doing surveys?

As part of the planning application process, we're working on surveys and assessments, including surveying wildlife, trees, and soils on site. We are also looking carefully at ground conditions and drainage. We will use this information to put together a landscaping and ecology strategy to make sure the site is developed in a sensitive way.

Will you be removing any trees?

We would aim to retain as many trees as possible, however, to create the closed loop cycling track and to ensure a safe cycling environment, the trees and shrubs in the middle of the site would need to be removed. The trees at the entrance to the Bean Acre are not within the development site boundary. The trees to the south of the site and those on the northern edge would be retained, although some are unhealthy and may need to come out if they are likely to fall.

We would also need to improve the biodiversity of the site - as part of Biodiversity Net Gain in the planning conditions - so would be planting more trees and shrubs as the site develops to encourage wildlife and improve habitats.

Diversion of Public Right of Way (PROW) and National Cycle Network Route 41 (NCN41)

We would aim to preserve as much green space as possible. We would need to move the current pathway and plans for the cycling facility include diverting the public right of way that crosses the site onto a new upgraded walking and cycling path (National Cycle Network Route 41) and plan to include lighting for safety.

We are proposing to clear the brambles and build a new public footpath around the outside of the site so that people can also walk along the Barracks Rhyne (drainage ditch). It would link into the new walking and cycling path so that people could walk around the entire site.

Will there be fencing around the site?

We would need to put up a perimeter fence around the entire cycling facility this would:

• help to safeguard everyone using the site
• prevent dogs and people from crossing the site
• prevent cycle theft and the facilities being used for antisocial behaviour when the site is closed

Will there be any parking on the site?

Plans include providing a gated car park for customers, which includes disabled parking, minibus, and coach parking, as well as EV charging points. Having a gated car park would enable us to close the gates at night to prevent anti-social behaviour.

What would the opening hours be?

We are proposing that Bristol Regional Cycling Hub would be open from 8am to 9pm for cycling and other activities. Cycling is a quiet activity. Opening at 8am would allow fitness cycling for those who like to cycle before going to work. Opening until later in the evening would allow after school activities and clubs to use the space.

Would there be any lighting or CCTV?

For safety reasons the site would need to be lit. To open from 8am to 9pm and to open in the darker winter months, we would need to light the site in the hours of low light/darkness. The lights would be angled down to light the track and internal pathways rather than be bright floodlights.

The lighting design would also be important to help keep wildlife happy too, such as nesting and roosting birds. There would be lighting and CCTV inside Bristol Regional Cycling Hub and car park.

How will you tackle drainage?

We are looking at how we would deal with surface water run-off from the site, to prevent the risk of flooding, as part of the planning application process.

How is the project being funded?

The cost of developing the business case for Bristol Regional Cycling Hub will be met by the UK Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement administered by the West of England Combined Authority. We're awaiting a decision on the allocation of additional money from the same fund to build the facility.

When could Bristol Regional Cycling Hub open?

We are still in the design stages of the development and need to apply for planning permission in the spring of 2025. The site would need to be ready in 2027 to satisfy the government funding requirements.