We would like your views on upgrading a path in Stoke Park, to make it easier for more people to make use of the park and to support new housing in the area. Our proposal is to upgrade an existing path connecting Lockleaze with Jellicoe Avenue at the eastern edge of the park, to create a new all-weather accessible path for both walkers (including families with push-chairs, older people, and those with mobility difficulties) and cyclists.
At the moment, it's difficult for people with mobility difficulties or pushchairs to enjoy the park because the paths get muddy and the surface can be uneven.
The route options drawing can be seen here.
As well as enabling more people to enjoy the park, the upgraded path would also connect Lockleaze with the existing all-weather path in Stoke Park that runs from Cheswick Village to the M32 underpass, so it will be easier to travel from Lockleaze to Frenchay, Broomhill, and other destinations.
We have also chosen this route because the Stoke Park Conservation Management Plan identifies upgrading the historic carriage drive as a priority. The work we're doing tries to make the path as accessible as possible while also combining well with the Conservation Management Plan.
As part of improving access for those with mobility difficulties and limiting illegal motorcycle entry to the park, we are also interested in your views on whether we should improve the access barriers around Stoke Park. We'd also like to hear your suggestions for other features, such as seating and information boards.
We're undertaking archaeological, bat, ecology and tree surveys in advance of any works commencing.
We want to make sure that the type of path that we're proposing is the right path for Stoke Park. We have created a suggested route, but we haven't created any detailed designs because we don't want to make decisions before hearing from users of the park and local residents.
The consultation questions will ask your opinion on whether the path should be upgraded, as well as your opinion on all of the different parts of the design of the path.
Why have we selected a route already?
We need to be sure that the things we consult on are possible. With Stoke Park, some of the considerations are:
All these considerations mean we have to come up with an idea first, so that we aren't asking your opinion on something that isn't possible.
We'd like to describe other options we've considered and rejected.
Route options
We considered a more direct route connecting Lockleaze to the M32 underpass, cutting down either through or around the Pale Plantation. However, the hill would mean the path would need several switchbacks to avoid being too steep - we'd need to cut down trees and the path would have a big visual effect, and would be difficult to use for people using wheelchairs.
A black tarmac 'blacktop' path
A blacktop path would be a cheaper surfacing option, similar to other paths in Bristol. However, it would be completely inappropriate in Stoke Park, especially as it would conflict with the surface of the existing all-weather path.
More information about the event Drop-in session
We'll be holding a drop-in session at the Old Library on Muller Road between 12pm and 3pm on the 5th of October.
More information about the event Public meeting
We will be holding a public meeting at The Cameron Centre at Gainsborough Square in Lockleaze - on the 9th of October between 6pm and 8pm.
Please come along to discuss the proposals and ask any questions you may have.
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