Bristol’s transportation landscape is on the brink of transformation, with upcoming road modifications paving the way for what could become the city’s inaugural tram line. Key junction upgrades will enable an uninterrupted route stretching from the Long Ashton park and ride on Bristol’s southwest edge, snaking through the city centre, and proceeding up the M32. This route promises to operate almost completely segregated from regular traffic, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Planned roadworks at critical points—including Bedminster Bridges roundabout, Redcliffe roundabout, Union Street, the Haymarket, and Bond Street—are designed to bolster the Metrobus M2 service, helping it avoid congestion and deliver consistent journey times.
Transport authorities at Bristol City Council view this “red route” as a foundational segment for a comprehensive mass transit network. During a recent briefing to the transport policy committee on May 15, councillors were briefed on these pivotal changes.
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Green Party Councillor Emma Edwards highlighted the long-term vision: “This route could evolve into a rapid mass transit corridor, whether through buses or potentially other modes. We’re aiming to create an unbroken route that addresses future transport challenges.”
While the final form of Bristol’s mass transit system remains undecided—options currently include tram lines or bus rapid transit (BRT)—the city has long struggled with congestion and transport inefficiencies. Former Bristol mayor Marvin Rees had proposed an ambitious mass transit network featuring underground elements, but escalating costs and political opposition led to its cancellation.
In 2023, then West of England Mayor Dan Norris rejected the underground plans as unrealistic, halting further public funding. Since then, regional leaders have explored alternative mass transit options, but consensus on the network’s format—as either bus-based or tram-based—has yet to be reached.
Helen Godwin, the newly elected West of England mayor, remains non-committal on mass transit choices, leaving decision-making to the West of England Combined Authority. Meanwhile, Bristol City Council is advancing groundwork on the Long Ashton to M32 corridor as a priority bus route upgrade.
Adam Crowther, head of city transport, emphasized the necessity of full segregation from traffic for any mass transit system to be effective, regardless of mode: “Whether the system ends up as buses or trams, it needs dedicated lanes uncontaminated by regular traffic to prevent delays and to maintain reliability."
He acknowledged the short-term discomfort expected from new bus lanes on Bond Street, which may initially exacerbate car congestion due to reduced road space, but stressed the long-term benefits.
To combat Bristol’s chronic traffic jams, councillors are promoting enhanced bus services and expanded cycle lanes to encourage residents to leave their cars at home and adopt greener travel modes.
Labour Councillor Tim Rippington voiced strong support for prioritizing high-capacity buses over individual cars: “One bus carrying 50 passengers should take precedence over 25 cars lining up. Giving buses priority is key.”
Rippington also expressed concern about delays in delivering the red route mass transit infrastructure, warning against a scenario where lanes are built but remain underused for years.
Questions about government awareness surfaced, with councillors unsure if the newly elected metro mayor fully recognizes the importance of the red route plans.
Additionally, upgrades to Redcliffe roundabout aim to establish a central orbital bus loop to improve connectivity. The initial orbital bus service will run anti-clockwise to prioritize easier left turns, although funding and operational models remain uncertain, with franchising under consideration.
The red route plan involves utilizing an existing bus-only road to link Long Ashton park and ride with Cumberland Road on Spike Island, made feasible thanks to a recent bus gate installation.
Bedminster Bridges roundabout will see new signal controls to speed buses turning from Redcliff Hill to Commercial Road, while Redcliff Street will become bus-exclusive from Redcliffe roundabout to the top of Victoria Street.
A bus gate already limits traffic on Bristol Bridge, easing bus and taxi flow. The route continues along Union Street, through a planned junction at Haymarket by Primark, and eventually onto bus lanes running along the M32. A new park and ride site is also planned but has been delayed by debates over its location.
In the long term, proposals include converting sections of the M32 into an A-road with dedicated stops for buses or trams, further enhancing mass transit accessibility.
Transport planners at the West of England Combined Authority are drafting a business case for the regional mass transit network, weighing transit modes but excluding underground options due to high construction costs. Given the complexity of planning, construction is not anticipated before the 2030s.