How we're supporting sustainable transport
Our One City Climate Strategy found that:
- a third of the city's direct emissions come from transport. This has now increased to 37%.
To be carbon neutral by 2030, 90 per cent of cars must be electric and car journeys must be reduced by 40%.
Bristol City Council is responsible for strategic transport planning and maintenance of the city's roads, pavements and cycle paths.
We're not responsible for:
- motorways within the city's boundaries
- a section of the A4 at Avonmouth
- bus services that are operated independently by First Bus
The West of England Combined Authority coordinates transport strategy and delivery across the region. It has:
- specific powers to improve bus services
- plans to improve rail links through the MetroWest programme
The West of England Combined Authority worked with Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to lead development of the Joint Local Transport Plan 4 Go to https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/transport/joint-local-transport-plan/ (opens new window).
The plan sets out the vision for transport up to 2036.
Active and sustainable travel
This includes:
- one month free bike and e-bike trials
- adult cycle training to build confidence
- taster bus and train tickets
- car club credit and discounts
Improved bus and train travel
We have:
- worked with the West of England Combined Authority and First Bus to support investment of £150 million Go to https://travelwest.info/news/150-million-investment-in-better-buses-for-the-west/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWith%20more%20than%20250%20electric,and%20ready%20for%20the%20future.%E2%80%9D (opens new window) from the Department for Transport and First Bus to start delivering over 250 new electric buses to cover routes across the West
- worked with partners to help create the new Portway Park and Ride and Ashley Down Rail Stations
- created a new bus gate at Bristol Bridge.
- made the Cumberland Road bus gate to improve the reliability of the M2 metrobus service
Improvements for walking, wheeling and cycling
We:
- pedestrianised Princess Victoria Street, Cotham Hill, and parts of the Old City
- created new segregated cycle routes including along Victoria Steet, Park Row and Upper Maudlin Street and also along Whitehouse Lane where we created bus lanes in support of the Bedminster Green development
- completed Bristol's first Liveable Neighbourhood pilot making streets safer for walking and cycling and enhancing local bus services in East Bristol
- made 526 cycle spaces in new public cycle hangars, 186 of which were reserved for people living in social housing
- created 13 new School Streets at schools across the city to encourage more people to walk, scoot and cycle to school
- support the continued electric-bike, scooter and cargo bike hire scheme Go to https://travelwest.info/e-scooter-e-bike-hire/ (opens new window) delivered by Dott
- are exploring a Workplace Parking Levy to help reduce congestion in the city centre
Our own vehicles
20% of our fleet are now fully electric vehicles.
How we're supporting sustainable travel in the future
Walking, wheeling and cycling
We want to carry on with significant improvements to help make walking, cycling and public transport the easy choice for most journeys for people who do not need to use cars.
Our focus is working as part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Go to https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/transport/joint-local-transport-plan/ (opens new window) to deliver reliable, sustainable and affordable transport options, which connect residents to services, jobs, and each other.
We'll make upgrades at several locations to provide one or more features including:
- pedestrianisation
- upgraded pedestrian crossings
- segregated cycle routes
- new bus lane and bus gates
The locations include:
- Broadmead
- Bedminster Bridge Roundabout
- Redcliffe Roundabout
- the Portway
- Concorde Way
- the A420/ A4018
We'll create between three and five new School Streets per year and we'll complete the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood project.
Bus travel
We'll build a continuous segregated cycle route from Temple Meads to Queens Square and upgrade the Brunel Mile pedestrian route and provide bus priority measures.
A total of £4.7 million from Clean Air Zone charges has been set aside to fund new bus services.
Electric vehicle charging
We will:
- invest up to £3.1 million of government funding, alongside anticipated private investment, to deliver up to 500 electric vehicle charge points over the next 5 years
- work as part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to install 150 electric vehicle charge points in lamp-posts to help citizens without off-street parking to charge their cars
Freight deliveries
We'll make 3 pilot sites in council car parks where freight can be brought together to be delivered by e-cargo bike for the last part of its journey.
This will reduce emissions and congestion from delivery vehicles.