Key road reopens after being closed for two years
AKEY Bristol road has reopened to traffic for the first time in almost two years. Gipsy Patch Lane has been closed since January 2020 while work has taken place to install a new railway bridge.
The bridge works were part of the Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension (CPME) scheme, which will provide a direct bus link between Bristol Parkway and The Mall.
The new bridge will provide room for new bus lanes in each direction and shared use cycle and pedestrian pathways, as well as general traffic lanes.
South Gloucestershire Council initially planned to reopen the road in July, but this was delayed.
But from 6am yesterday the road was officially reopened to traffic for the first time in 21 months - but only for vehicles travelling westbound.
A westbound oneway system will operate along Gipsy Patch Lane between the Little Stoke Lane junction and the mini roundabout at Rolls Royce.
Traffic will only be able to travel westbound between those points, from Stoke Gifford towards Filton and the A38.
Here are the key points:
» The one-way system will be between Little Stoke Lane and the mini roundabout at Rolls Royce. Traffic will only be able to travel westbound between those points, towards Filton and the A38. The existing signposted diversion route will remain in place for eastbound traffic via the A38, Bradley Stoke Way and Winterbourne Road.
» Businesses at Pegasus Park will be accessible and remain open as usual, but traffic entering and exiting will need to follow the one-way system. This means the junction will be ‘rightin’ and ‘right-out’ only. At Horizon 38, Titan Road will be closed, so traffic will need to use Taurus Road.
» Businesses at Gifford Crescent and the Stokers Pub will also remain open for business as usual. Vehicular access to the shops at Gifford Crescent will be via Kingsway while cars accessing the Stokers Pub will do so from Bush Avenue (east).
For safety reasons, the majority of side roads to the east (residential side) of the railway bridge that fall within the one-way system will need to be closed at their junctions with Gipsy Patch Lane. This will include Station Road, Gifford Crescent, the service road, Smithcourt Drive and Bush Avenue. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained via diversion routes.
» The Gipsy Patch Lane service road’s junction with Gifford Crescent will be open. The eastern access to Bush Avenue, nearest to Little Stoke Lane, will remain fully open to residents and pub customers. Little Stoke Lane will also remain open.
The existing signposted diversion route will remain in place for eastbound traffic via the A38, Bradley Stoke Way and Winterbourne Road.
During the one-way system a number of local roads also need to be closed at their junction with Gipsy Patch Lane.
The westbound oneway system and road closures will be in place until road widening works have been completed in late 2022, say the council.
Council cabinet member for regeneration, environment and strategic infrastructure Steve Reade said: “The Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension is a flagship project for the council and plays a key part improving public transport, walking and cycling facilities and the road network in the area.
“The partial reopening of Gipsy Patch Lane is an important milestone for this ambitious project which has already involved the installation of the new railway bridge, the upgrading of bus stops on Hatchet Road and changes at the San Andreas roundabout in Cribbs Causeway.
“The westbound one-way system will support businesses and help keep South Gloucestershire moving as we continue to recover from the pandemic.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the work, and we would like to thank the local community for their continued patience.”
As part of the CPME, highway improvements are being made along Gipsy Patch Lane, including footway widening and new bus lanes, which are being completed by the council’s Streetcare team.
We would like to thank the local community for their continued patience Council cabinet member Steve Reade