Construction work is set to get underway this August on Muller Road, to help buses move more quickly through traffic and improve the cycling and walking infrastructure.
Lockleaze is a growing neighbourhood, with around 1,000 new homes planned for the area as well as a new secondary school.
To make sure local roads can keep up with this future growth, Bristol City Council is starting work this summer to install a 24-hour bus lane on Muller Road between Downend Road and Ralph Road, which will incorporate a bus gate at the junction with Ralph Road.
Work will also include resurfacing part of Muller Road, installing traffic signals at Ralph Road, and creating modal filters on Springfield Avenue, Draycott Road and Brent Road to stop traffic other than bicycles cutting through from Muller Road.
Temporary traffic lights will be in use on Muller Road, and, towards the end of August, Ralph Road will close to vehicles at its junction with Muller Road and remain closed for most of the works.
The diversion route for traffic will be signposted via Ashley Down Road, Gloucester Road, Filton Avenue and Muller Road.
Some residential roads may also be closed at their junction with Muller Road while the works take place to avoid rat-running.
This temporary traffic management and diversion route will allow the works to be carried out efficiently over a shorter period.
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
It’s great news that Muller Road will be getting an upgrade that will improve bus journeys and should make walking and cycling easier and safer.
We’re also running an early engagement exercise this summer on how we can improve the section of the Concorde Way walking and cycling route that passes through Lockleaze.
Making these changes to our transport network is vital if we want to tackle congestion, bring down air pollution, and make it easier for local people to access reliable public transport and encourage walking and cycling, while allowing for future growth.
We understand that while these highway improvements take place there will be a fair bit of disruption, as Muller Road is very busy at the best of times. We will do all we can to keep traffic moving and finish the works as quickly as possible, but please do consider taking an alternative route if possible.
The improvements to Muller Road are part of the Lockleaze Sustainable Transport Infrastructure project, which is being funded from the Housing Infrastructure Fund, provided by Homes England.
Work is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023.