Apology Council says sorry as city centre works delayed for 9 months
BRISTOL City Council is apologising for a ninemonth delay to completion of the Temple Circus roadworks.
The £11million project, which will ultimately remove the former Temple Circus gyratory roundabout, is now set to be completed in autumn 2019 – nine months after the original finish date and more than two years since works began.
The delay has been caused by three factors – the discovery of a Victorian cellar underneath the old roundabout, the discovery of uncharted utility pipes and difficulties installing new heat network pipes.
“Traffic around Temple Circus has always been a real problem and we’re working hard to make the area better for everyone,” Bristol City cabinet member for transport and connectivity, Mhairi Threlfall, said.
“I’m sorry the works are taking longer than expected and we will continue to work closely with our contractors, Eurovia, to do everything we can to deliver the rest of the programme as quickly as possible.
“On behalf of the council I sincerely apologise for this delay and the ongoing disruption.”
Launched in June 2017, the Temple Circus redevelopment is the last part of Bristol’s key road network to be redeveloped.
When completed, traffic from the north will no longer be able to turn right in Victoria Street from Temple Way and traffic exiting from the Friary will no longer be able to turn onto Temple Way or straight on to Victoria Street.
The council hopes the redesign will improve traffic flow through the southern part of the city centre and result in better access for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Simulation models show the changes will improve traffic flow through the city,” head of strategic city ransport for the council Adam Crowther said.
“The main benefit will be to buses and bus routes, but drivers will also see improved journey times. In particular, it will benefit drivers travelling along Temple Way southbound.
“In general the management of the network will be better. Previously we had two roundabouts in close proximity – Temple Circus and the one further along near Bath Road.
“By turning one into a junction it means we can manage flow much better.”
Issues with the works arose when technicians discovered an underground cellar in the former roundabout which had not been picked up by infrared mapping technology.
The remains were not found to be of any historic importance, so it was decided to fill them in.
Workers also had issues installing heat network pipes under the new road layout.
The pipes will be used to transport excess industrial heat from the Temple Meads and St Philips areas to homes in Redcliffe.
The recycled heat will be made available to residents at a discounted price and the council hopes it will help to reduce fuel poverty in the city and work towards its aim of being carbon neutral by 2050.
The pipes are very inflexible due to the high level of insulation needed to transport the heat and needed to be remanufactured before being put in place.
Both these factors have prompted the nine-month delay, although the council claims its contingency fund means the project will not go over the £11million budget.
“The traffic changes will be in place by summer 2019, but we will also have to do some resurfacing of the roads which will take until the autumn,” Ms Threlfall said.
“The resurfacing will take place at night, so as to cause as little disruption to commuters as possible.”
Once complete the council will also gain an additional 4,000 square metre space close to Temple Meads train station.
Called ‘plot six’, the site may be used for housing or office space.