Prince Street Cycling Ambition Fund Project

Public consultation on the Prince Street Cycling Ambition Fund (CAF) project closed on 15 August 2016. 66 responses were received via the online consultation survey and 4 additional comments were received from individuals or groups. Full details of the feedback can be seen in Appendix 1.

 The Prince Street consultation was undertaken in parallel with the Draft Shared Use policy consultation. In addition to the online consultation two stakeholder workshops were held with a cross section of equalities, amenity and cycling groups to enable the design to be informed by the latest shared thinking on the subject. Visit: https://bristol.citizenspace.com/city-development/shared-use-routes-for-people-walking-and-on-bicycl/ for further details.

There was overwhelming support for BCC promoting schemes that prioritise people walking, cycling and using public transport (83%), and strong support for an improved 8-80’s segregated cycle route up Wapping Road and Prince Street (64%) and for people being encouraged to cycle across The Centre in a managed way (65%).

The majority of people considered that better cycle routes would encourage them to cycle (62%) and reduce conflict with pedestrians (74%). Prince Street bridge, Farrs Lane and The Centre were recognised as particularly challenging locations where large numbers of people walking and cycling share space and improvements are needed. Pedestrianising Farrs Lane and Narrow Quay was considered important or most important by a majority of people (56%), although there was concern from some about access arrangements for businesses. A better crossing on Cumberland Road for people walking and cycling was considered important or most important by a majority of people (68%). 

All groups considered that cycle routes should be consistent in design and more clearly marked and signed to make them easily recognisable. Most preferred segregation to sharing space.

There was considerable concern from some groups about inconsiderate cycling and that there should be some areas where cyclists are not allowed or are asked to dismount. BCC need to have a good behaviour message campaign launched with the cycling improvements.

The design has been changed to reflect the feedback from the consultation. In particular:

1. Broad Quay

• the colour of the cycle route has been changed to make it more prominent through the space
• the Anchor Road crossing has been split to separate people walking and cycling
• pedestrian priority on the primary pedestrian routes has been reinforced

2. Prince Street bus stop

• The route to the bus stop will be paved to indicate pedestrian priority across the cycle lane   

3. Farrs Lane Toucan Crossing

• the design has been changed so that pedestrians wait behind the cycle route not in front
• the crossing has been split to separate people walking and cycling, reflecting the alignment of the cycle route coming from Queen Square

4. Prince Street bridge

• The new deck will be lower, with a 15mm upstand between people walking and cycling, creating much more usable and flexible space. The width will be split almost equally, allowing people to pass each other without having to move onto the other side    

5. Wapping Road

• BCC have negotiated with the Wapping Wharf developer to enable the cycle route to continue right down to the crossing on Cumberland Road and enable pedestrian and cycle priority across the entrances to the development.

Shared Use policy

The Draft Shared Use policy will be finalised. It states that there are three possibilities for creating provision for people walking and cycling:

• Segregated routes - these are the preferred approach where there is adequate space to allocate to both users, and are particularly suited to linear routes
• Delineated routes - these will be used to enable flexibility where space is limited and/or complex pedestrian movements and other activities dominate the space
• Shared space - these will be used where there is low usage or limited space or other environmental factors, eg a sensitive historic environment

Share with Care

BCC are developing a new sign to encourage considerate cycling and will use more signage and route marking to make it clearer where people walking may encounter people cycling.

Pedestrianisation of Farrs Lane and Narrow Quay

Traffic Regulation Orders will be published for statutory consultation in the New Year