Nelson Street public realm strategy ConsultaƟ on DraŌ 01
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy
City Design Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 Group City Design Group IntroducƟ on 1 Preface 2 IntroducƟ on 3 Policy Context 4 ConsultaƟ on Process 5 Context
Appendix:
Prepared on behalf of the City Design Group
RegeneraƟ on Bristol City Council
Report version: DraŌ FDP/002/CDG
© Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100023406 © City Design Group October 2013
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 2 City Design Group 1
SiteContents context
Preface 1 IntroducƟ on 2 Understanding the context 3 Site anaylsis 4 Public realm vision 5 Public consultaƟ on 6 Delivery 7 Summary Appendix A : AlternaƟ ve traĸ c soluƟ ons
Prepared on behalf of the City Design Group
RegeneraƟ on Bristol City Council
Report version: DraŌ NSPRS/01/CDG
© Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100023406 © City Design Group December 2014
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 3 1
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 4 City Design Group 4 IntroducƟ on
Chapter 1 IntroducƟ on
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 5 IntroducƟ on SPD8 Map 1.1 Study Area showing extended Public Realm Strategy area
IntroducƟ on
Purpose and scope of report The strategy will include: Supplementary Planning Document 8 (SPD8) was consideraƟ on of the opportuniƟ es presented by adopted in March 2006. It sets out a vision for recent development and transport proposals transforming Nelson Street from an underused integraƟ ng the Nelson Street area into the public and unloved canyon into a vibrant new quarter of realm design of the wider city centre the city centre and a key link between Broadmead, improving pedestrian and cycle links Harbourside and Christmas Steps. maximising the potenƟ al of this direct, level link between The Centre and Broadmead establishing a paleƩ e of materials and street Nelson Street will become an aƩ racƟ ve furniture to be used throughout the area quarter of the city centre, where the a strategy for achieving the public realm historic fabric is part of a lively pedestrian enhancements given a changed Į nancial situaƟ on, environment framed by exemplar new notably changes to s106 and the introducƟ on of buildings. It will be an improved pedestrian CIL route of choice linking Broadmead, Harbourside and Christmas Steps. Public Realm Strategy study area SPD8, para 2.1 SPD8 considered the area from Electricity House to Silver Street, centred on the spine of Nelson Street. This document covers a slightly larger area. This The enhancement of the public realm is central to this reŇ ects: vision. the opportuniƟ es created by the current The purpose of this document is to set out a strategy development proposals in Nelson Street, Lewins for the comprehensive enhancement of the public Mead, Rupert Street and MetroBus in the Centre realm in the Nelson Street area, in accordance with the the recogniƟ on that the public realm framework s106 requirements of SPD8. The strategy will inform must provide a coherent approach to the whole the public realm and public art investment in the corridor on the primary pedestrian routes from the current and future regeneraƟ on proposals. It will also Centre to the refurbished Broadmead public realm guide future maintenance and investment from the and from the Old CIty across to Christmas Steps a more developed policy context, notably the draŌ city council. SPD8 Study Area Bristol Central Area Plan 2014
Public realm strategy area
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 RT 6 City Design Group Understanding the context
Chapter 2 Understanding the context
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 7 1 2 3 Understanding the context 1 Extract from Hoefnagel 's map of Bristol 1581, showing Bristol Bridge to the south and St John's church, Christmas Street and St John's Bridge to the north of the historic core
5 6 2 Extract from SPD8 showing lines of historic town walls
3 Christmas Street looking to St John's Gate 1828
4 Extract from 1828 map showing line of River Frome along Rupert Street, a more permeable street layout and link to Christmas Steps
5 St John's Lane, with its historic seƩ s and narrow stone footways, is one of the lanes History and development that ran behind the original town wall 6 Complex and inƟ midaƟ ng access points to high level walkway on Nelson Street
7 Nelson Street presents a shady and inhospitable pedestrian environment. Street art helped enliven the blank concrete facades and increase fooƞ all
The church of St John the BapƟ st and St John's Gate are the last remnants of the historic town wall that once encircled the historic heart of Bristol's Old City. The route of Nelson Street ran along the town wall's outer edge. This ancient route structure has contributed to the linear form, with few opportuniƟ es for cross movement, that characterises the study area. The River Frome, whose line is reŇ ected in Rupert Street, was diverted in the 13th century to its present course running down The Centre. This enabled the creaƟ on of a larger wharf, with the quayside running as far north as the Stone Bridge at the Quay Head, and brought the Ň at land around Nelson Street within the new city wall. The northern end of the docks was inĮ lled in the 1890's and the historic connecƟ on to Christmas Steps severed when the land to Christmas Street was cleared around 1930 for the inner circuit road along Rupert Street. The art deco Electricity House was built in 1935 as the new focal point for the old Quay Head. Nelson Street suī ered some bomb damage during World War II, but it was the modernist vision of the 1970's that most dramaƟ cally changed the area. This saw the construcƟ on of a new civic quarter of tall brutalist architecture and aerial walkways, characterised by blank frontages and with liƩ le permeability at ground level. The legacy of 1970's town planning has leŌ Nelson Street a parƟ cularly poor quality, heavily shaded and inhospitable canyon between large, impermeable and underused blocks, and has contributed to the area's decline. SPD8 arƟ culated the need for change and the vision for regeneraƟ ng the area.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 8 City Design Group 1 2 1 See No Evil street art event has changed the image Understanding the context and percepƟ on of Nelson Street 3 2 MetroBus public realm improvements will radically change the gateway into Quay Street, promoƟ ng walking and cycling
3 Redevelopment in Nelson St area showing recent and current schemes and the proposed MetroBus routes Development and change
Since SPD8 was published in 2006, the Nelson Street study area has undergone some signiĮ cant changes: Nelson Street has become a major cycling corridor new leisure and cafe businesses (e.g. The Lanes and Roll for the Soul) have aƩ racted increased fooƞ all and added vibrancy to the area Nelson/Drake Houses have been refurbished to present a more acƟ ve frontage The Old City has become a more leisure-oriented environment, with increasingly residenƟ al uses 1 Electricity House
The percepƟ on of the street has also changed since 2 Former Magistrates Courts 2006, notably through the 'See No Evil' events, with the introducƟ on of major street art increasing visitors and 3 Nelson/Drake/Trafalgar House fooƞ all. 10 4 New Bridewell Police 11 Headquarters 8 The current redevelopment proposals will radically 7 Former CID building change the area both in terms of use, to residenƟ al, 5 9 5 and with more sympatheƟ c architecture and acƟ ve 6 Old Bridewell Police frontages. The aerial walkways that have contributed so StaƟ on 4 much to the inhospitable and impermeable character 6 7 The Former Fire StaƟ on of the street have been removed. 3 8 Unit 2, Broadmead The implementaƟ on of MetroBus will have a profound 2 13 eī ect on traĸ c movement and the public realm in 9 Froomsgate House the area. Nelson Street will remain a signiĮ cant public 10 1 Bridewell Street transport corridor, but it will completely change the southern gateway at Electricity House, removing traĸ c 11 Lewins Place 1 from Colston Avenue East and imprvoing connecƟ ons 12 Roll for the Soul to Christmas Steps. 12 The Lanes 14 13 Together, these changes provide the opportunity to N 14 St Lawrence House create a high quality, well connected and coherent Not to scale public realm. Metrobus route
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 9 Understanding the context PRMF Primary Route 3: Broadmead - The Centre
Policy context
The vision for Nelson Street, arƟ culated in SPD8 2006, Bristol Central Area AcƟ on Plan (BCAAP) 2014 Public Realm and Movement Framework (PRMF) is reinforced by subsequent policy documents, notably DraŌ 2012 BCAAP reinforces the signiĮ cance and locaƟ on of The Core Strategy (adopted 2011) and Bristol Central Nelson Street, directly adjacent to the Old City and The PRMF sets out a vision for promoƟ ng walking and Area AcƟ on Plan (BCAAP) 2014. Broadmead, and a key link connecƟ ng Broadmead to cyclng in the city centre and rebalancing space away Core Strategy (adopted 2011) the wider city centre. from the private car to create a high quality public realm. The Core Strategy idenƟ Į es Broadmead and Nelson Street as an 'Area of focus for development and The Old City will be enhanced as the city’s cultural Nelson Street is the central secƟ on of Primary regeneraƟ on'. and historic heart, with growth in independent pedestrian route 3: Broadmead - The Centre. The PRMF notes the need for: retail at St. Nicholas’ Market and St. Mary-le- 'Design of development will be expected Port. The impact of traĸ c will be reduced so that ' Repairing severance and poor environment from to be of the highest standard in terms of streets are opened up for the city’s residents, post-war development, giving pedestrians good appearance, funcƟ on, conservaƟ on of heritage businesses and visitors to use and enjoy. Bristol alternaƟ ves to underpasses and streets in the sky' assets, sustainability and maintaining and Shopping Quarter will conƟ nue to be a prime enhancing green infrastructure. Key views will focus for retail renewal and growth, beƩ er be protected. Street design will give priority to connected to the rest of the city centre both at 3C Nelson Street pedestrian access, cycling and public transport. the High Street, Wine Street and Castle Park area Review allocaƟ on of roadspace and invesƟ gate New development should include measures to and at a revitalised Nelson Street and Lewins traĸ c management measures to improve the secure public access and routes for walking, Mead. pedestrian/cycle experience cycling and public transport....' Policy BCS2 Enhance bus stop faciliƟ es BCAAP Vision for 2026 Where post-war buildings are to be Para 4.21.5 is parƟ cularly relevant to the study redeveloped, remove pedestrian bridges and area and notes that post-war intervenƟ ons for Į rst Ň oor walkways redevelopments and road building 'have not always Enhance pedestrian environment with wider proved to be to the beneĮ t of the city's social, pavements, tree planƟ ng and acƟ ve ground economic or cultural wellbeing'. Ň oor uses Improve access to linked streets, many of which The Core Strategy aspires to are medieval 'Deliver a safe, healthy, aƩ racƟ ve, usable, PRMF 2012 durable and well-managed built environment comprising high quality inclusive buildings and spaces that integrate green infrastructure' Policy BCS21
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 10 City Design Group Understanding the context Map 3.2 from SPD8 showing public realm framework
Policy context
Bristol Central Area Context Study DraŌ 2013 Old City public realm project The draŌ Context study notes how the topography The Old City is currently the focus for a public realm of the river valley has created a canyon which is now improvements strategy. This seeks to raise the enclosed by tall buildings. This means that there are generally low quality of the public realm in the area few long views, with most being local, albeit they oī er and reduce the impact of traĸ c and parking, opening aƩ racƟ ve glimpses into the Old City. up the streets for more pedestrian and cycle friendly uses. There is need to maintain, or increase, views to the posiƟ ve landmark buildings of Electricity House, St The use of pennant stone in new paving and seaƟ ng John's church and the Odeon Cinema (H&M). areas will reinforce the high quality buildings and historic paleƩ e used in the historic core. DecluƩ ering Post War planning has resulted in limited street level of excessive and prominently located signs, cctv and acƟ vity, blank facades and has forced pedestrians onto on-street bins is also being pursued. high-level walkways or next to heavily traĸ cked roads. Nelson Street and Rupert Street oī er a number of DraŌ Highway Protocol 2011 public realm enhancement opportuniƟ es: The area contains some areas of historic paving, which To enhance public open spaces, with improved will be retained and used as a basis to inform the pedestrian access, lighƟ ng and signage public realm strategy. The DraŌ Highway Protocol also promotes decluƩ ering and designing new works to be To widen footways and remove redundant as visually sensiƟ ve as possible, parƟ cularly in relaƟ on stairways and other structures to transport signage. To improve the public realm through an increase SPD8 in street tree planƟ ng, to encourage new street furniture that is less uƟ liarian SPD8 was adopted in 2006 and many of the aspiraƟ ons and principles within its public realm framework are To improve cycling amenity and safety sƟ ll relevant. The Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy To create more direct crossings over Rupert Street/ gives an updated context for the area in terms of Lewins Mead that respond beƩ er to pedestrian recent development changes, and new planning desire lines and especially improve legibility policies and guidance. between Christmas Steps from the Old City To improve the relaƟ onship between buildings and the street
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 11 1 2 3 4 1 The spire of St John's church is a prominent landmark and Understanding the context dominates local views. Seen here from Broad Street
5 2 John Street has high quality historic pennant slabs and cast iron kerbs, but a poor quality concrete road
3 Old Bridewell Police staƟ on entrance, with its two ornate lamps, has liƩ le presence on the street
4 Historic pennant stone kerbs and channels contrast with uƟ liitarian in-situ concrete on the footway outside Old Bridewell Listed buildings, conservaƟ on areas Police staƟ on and Silver Street and historic materials 5 Listed buildings and conservaƟ on areas
Nelson Street forms the western boundary between the Old City and Queen Square and the College Green ConservaƟ on Areas; St Michael's Hill and Christmas Steps ConservaƟ on Area lies to the northwest. It contains a signiĮ cant number of listed buildings, notably: Grade I listed Church of St John the BapƟ st and St John's Gate, Grade II listed art deco Electricity House, Grade II listed Neo-Georgian Old Bridewell Police with its elaborate cast iron lamps Grade II listed The Lanes, the 1930's red brick former employment exchange, that elegantly addresses the corner of All Saints Street These buildings punctuate the route along Nelson Street and across from the Old City, enhancing the area's legibility. They provide a natural focus for high quality public realm enhancement works. The public realm associated with the listed buildings is generally poor, however. Narrow, in-situ concrete and basic concrete slab footways, prominently located cctv equipment, street furniture and parked cars reduce St Michael's Hill their impact within the streetscape. and Christmas Steps There are some remnants of historic paving materials KEY and details however, notably around St John's church: pennant stone kerbs, guƩ ers, seƩ s, paving and Grade I listed building crossover slabs cast iron kerbs Grade II* listed building Old City & Queens Where historic materials remain they will be retained Square Grade II listed buiding and enhanced. N College Green ConservaƟ on Area Not to scale boundaries
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 12 City Design Group Site Analysis
Chapter 3 Site Analysis
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 13 1 3 Site Analysis 1 Channelled view looking north east along Quay Street to St Johns Church 2 2 Channelled view looking west along Nelson Street. The southern footway is in almost constant shade
3 Character zones
Character zones
Nelson Street is a long linear, corridor, over-dominated by traĸ c, with generally blank facades, low quality streetscape, few street trees, limited cross routes and no opportuniƟ es or space to dwell. The journey between the Centre and Broadmead therefore oī ers a fairly negaƟ ve experience, with the generally tall buildings creaƟ ng deep shade and oī ering a sequence of Ɵ ghtly contained views. Nelson Street is the spine of the public realm study 6 5 area, which divides into six broad character zones. These are examined in more detail below, together with the opportuniƟ es presented by current 3 developments. 4
.
2
Key: 1 1 The Centre
2 St. Johns / Old City
3 Lewins Mead
4 Central corridor Bus link 5 N 6 Broadmead Not to scale
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 14 City Design Group Site Analysis 1 2 1 Electricity House forms the gateway to Nelson Street and focal point for new space
4 2 Poor quality surfaces and cluƩ er on Quay Street 3 3 Rupert Street will retain high traĸ c volumes but trees will break up their dominance in the space
4 Quay Head will become an aƩ racƟ ve sunny locaƟ on for cafes and bars Zone 1: The Centre 5 Street art adds character and visual landmarks
The Centre is dominated by the wide and heavily traĸ cked roads of Rupert Street and Colston Avenue, These busy roads make pedestrian routes to Nelson Street complex and negoƟ able only via mulƟ ple pedestrian crossings. Footways are relaƟ vely wide and Ň at, but materials are basic, with standard concrete kerbs and paving slabs, creaƟ ng a generally poor pedestrian with lots of cluƩ er of lining, signing, traĸ c signals and bus stops. The contraŇ ow cycle route, though useful and well used, creates further visual confusion. The buildings around the Centre are generally of very high quality and Electricity House dominates the gateway to Quay Street. The spire of St John's church acts as local landmark, drawing people into the street, as do the more recent street art intervenƟ ons. The public realm improvements associated with MetroBus will radically change and improve the gateway into Quay Street. They will: remove traĸ c, except taxis and servicing, from Colston Avenue east remove buses, but allow limited two-way traĸ c, on Quay Street create a new Ň exible public space focussed on Electricity House facilitate beƩ er pedestrian and cycle movements unite The Centre with Old City The materials of the MetroBus scheme, sawn york stone and Ň amed pennant stone, will extend along Quay Street as a conƟ nuing language through the corridor, linking Nelson Street to the high quality public realm improvements across the city centre.
. Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 15 1 2 3 Site Analysis 1 The spire of St. John the BapƟ st is a local landmark 2 The stone seƩ s under St Johns arch create views and invitaƟ on 5 into Broad Street and the Old City. 4 3 The blank frontages of private car parks contribute to making the street inhospitable for pedestrians. Access into them also makes the street more diĸ cult for cyclists
4 St John's conduit, erected 1866, is an aƩ acƟ ve historic feature Zone 2: St Johns and Old City but frequently damaged with graĸ Ɵ 5 The former Magistrates Court redevelopment in progress opposite St John's church will present a more acƟ ve frontage with new tree planƟ ng and seaƟ ng opportuniƟ es
St John the BapƟ st church is a local landmark that assists legibility on the crossroads of two primary pedestrian routes. St John's Gate provides glimpsed views and enables connecƟ on into the Old City. St John's Conduit, a historic water source in the area, is largely uncelebrated and frequently tagged. The archway and St John's Lane are the main focus for high quality historic pennant stone paving and cast iron kerbs in the area. Public realm improvements will be used to reinforce the signiĮ cance of St John's Church and this important crossroads with: a speed table to slow vehicles down an improved segregated cycling facility high quality materials The footways on the south side of Nelson Street are generally wide, but heavily shaded and shabby, oŌ en cluƩ ered, and pedestrians pass the inhospitable blank frontages of the private car parks. Footways on Christmas Street and the north side of Nelson Street are much narrower however, and whilst those along Rupert Street are reasonably wide they are unpleasant due to heavy traĸ c. All, with the excepƟ on of the stone kerbs and channels by Electricity House, are of very basic materials and need improving. The contraŇ ow cycle lane on Nelson Street is well used, but on the road surface, where vehicles regularly encroach into it, making it less useful for less conĮ dent cyclists. A segregated route will be promoted. Nelson/Drake House now has a more acƟ ve street frontage. This will be conƟ nued in the Magistrates Court redevelopment, which provides the opportunity for replacement tree planƟ ng, public art and seaƟ ng.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 16 City Design Group 1 2 Site Analysis 1 The tree planƟ ng and frontage to St. Bartholomews Court and Hotel du Vin provides welcome relief from the busy. Inappropriate stone paving slabs have failed and are patched with tarmac 3 4 5 2 The new pedestrian crossing associated with MetroBus will enable more direct access between Christmas Steps and Old City
3 Pavements are basic materials and oŌ en poorly repaired
4 The green oasis at Froomsgate Park is basic but oī ers refuge from the busy road network. This will become a more important pedestrian route once the aerial Zone 3: Lewins Mead walkways are gone and provide the main link for the new residenƟ al uses
5 The aerial walkways, shortly to be removed, reinforce the canyon of busy traĸ c and tall buildings on Lewins Mead. Few people use the footways by Froomsgate House. Mature trees in Froomsgate Park soŌ en the view
The busy roads of Lewins Mead and Rupert Street dominate this zone, but there are a number of incidental spaces, including the frontage of Lewins Place, and signiĮ cant mature tree planƟ ng, that provide welcome relief within the heavily traĸ cked corridors. Footways are generally of a reasonable width, albeit they are of basic concrete materials, but do not provide an aƩ ractve pedestrian or cycling environment due to the heavy traĸ c. The aerial walkways are an ugly feature in the space but are being removed as part of the current redevelopment works. Future links will all be at ground level, increasing the signiĮ cance of Froomsgate Park, the central green space, which will be refreshed as part of the MetroBus scheme. The Lewins Place and Froomsgate House redevelopments will include a reworking of their street frontages, with signiĮ cant new public realm being created on Rupert Street. This will create a chain of new public realm from the bus staƟ on via Lewins Place to Old City. Further improvements to exisƟ ng public realm should be encouraged as part of future development proposals. MetroBus works will relocate the toucan crossing to enable more direct access between Christmas Street and Christmas Steps and provide the major pedestrian route from the new developments at Lewins Place and Froomsgate House into the Old City. The corner of Electricity House will then become much more prominent in the streetscape, providing opportuniƟ es for public art and assisƟ ng legibility.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 17 1 2 Site Analysis 1 Pedestrians struggle to cross at Fairfax Street between heavy traĸ c Ň ows
3 4 5 2 Shady footways with blank facades, tall buildings and aerial walkways create an unwelcoming pedestrian environment
3 Poor repairs to low quality materials of pavements, cluƩ er created by street furniture
4 The steps create a signiĮ cant obstrucƟ on in the footway, but Zone 4: Central corridor the link is useful 5 Old pennant stone fronƟ ng The Lanes is damaged by illegal parking, poor quality repairs and ill-sited street furniture
Nelson Street and Rupert Street are busy transport corridors. They have generally blank facades, low quality streetscape, few trees, limited cross routes and few opportuniƟ es or space to dwell. Tall buildings create deep shade, parƟ cularly on the south side, and oī er a sequence of Ɵ ghtly contained views. The current redevelopments will create more acƟ ve frontages, however, and contribute to an improved public realm. The steps to John Street create an unpleasant pinch point on the otherwise wide footway on Nelson Street, but do provide a link into the Old City. OpportuniƟ es to relocate the steps behind the building line should be pursued. Crossing the turning traĸ c on Fairfax Street is also diĸ cult for pedestrians and cyclists. The contraŇ ow cycle route on Nelson Street is well used and provides a good alternaƟ ve to Rupert Street. OpportuniƟ es to create a segregated cycle route should be pursued, relocaƟ ng trees if necessary. Bridewell Island is a robust block of aƩ racƟ ve listed buildings, albeit with limited acƟ ve frontages. The footways are narrow, but retain most of their historic pennant stone and cast iron kerbs, stone channels. The Lanes, too, is fronted by old pennant paving, but this is being damaged by illegal parking and the seƫ ng of the building is further degraded by badly located cctv equipment. DecluƩ ering is a priority throughout. On-street parking and traĸ c impact on the seƫ ng of the listed buildings. Changing traĸ c prioriƟ es, eg making Bridewell Street one-way, reducing parking and reinforcing the nodes with speed tables, would create a beƩ er pedestrian and cycling environment.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 18 City Design Group
. 1 3 Site Analysis 1 Gateway Odeon Cinema (H&M) building on the corner of Nelson Street, surrounded by the red block paving of Broadmead's previous paving 4 2 2 Union Street between Broadmead and The Horsefair has an uninspiring mix of 5 standard materials 3 Nelson Street adjacent to the Odeon Cinema funcƟ ons simply as a space to pass through but has potenƟ al to oī er seaƟ ng, new planƟ ng and a segregated cycle route
4 The street cluƩ er on the bus/cycle link overwhelms Nelson Street from the Silver Zone 5: Broadmead link Street juncƟ on with signage, lighƟ ng, bollards and liƩ er bins 5 Nelson Street is clearly idenƟ fed as part of Broadmead, but the dated red block pavers have no relaƟ onship with the new honey-coloured block paving, making the zone feel isolated from the rest of the shopping area
Zone 5 contains some anchor stores in key buildings, such as the aƩ racƟ ve 1950's Odeon cinema (H&M), which dominates this prominent corner. The stark change of materials - it retains the red brick pavers and street furniture from the previous Broadmead refurbishment - makes it feel primarily a transiƟ onal space, however, rather than part of the main Broadmead shopping experience. Vehicular access on Nelson Street is restricted to buses, taxis, motorcycles and bicycles, with the associated cluƩ er of signage and bollards. The contraŇ ow cycle lane is well used, but narrow. Union Street is extremely congested however, with an uncomfortable combinaƟ on of heavy traĸ c, disabled parkimg and bus stops. Nelson Street and Union Street are busy primary pedestrian routes. The footways are basic in quality but relaƟ vely wide, with some trees, but there no seaƟ ng or opportuniƟ es to dwell and queues at bus stops create congesƟ on. Public realm improvements should seek to reconnect this zone back into the primary Broadmead shopping experience by conƟ nuing the pallete of materials, providing new seaƟ ng and general decluƩ ering. Improved cycling faciliƟ es are needed, including the creaƟ on of a segregated cycle lane on Nelson Street. AddiƟ onal cycle stands would help meet the high demand within the area.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 19 1 2 Site Analysis 1 Broadmead recently been refurbished with bright new honey-coloured paving, with linear features of blue Ɵ les and bespoke circular bollards. The stark change in paving materials on Nelson Street visually implies that Broadmead ends at Union Street. The prominent cctv column and signage detract from the Sails structure. Demand for 3 4 cycle parking in Broadmead is high 2 Robust street furniture comprising Ɵ mber and steel benches, steel liƩ er bins and bollards. Artwork columns and trees highlight the Podium space
3 Simple contemporary style stainless steel liƩ er bins extend from Broadmead across Character zone 6: Broadmead into Nelson Street and Union Street 4 Stainless steel tree grilles withstand heavy use. Uplighters provide animaƟ on and deĮ ne tree forms at night
Broadmead shopping centre oī ers a level, pedestrian friendly environment with plenƟ ful cycle parking and seaƟ ng opportuniƟ es. The public realm has recently been signiĮ cantly upgraded with good quality contemporary materials. The new paving consists of a bright and atracƟ ve mixture of concrete honey-coloured paviors, square slabs and rectangular blocks and dark grey granite seƩ s enlivened by a sinuous line of blue Ɵ les and bespoke mosaic balls. Pennant paving slabs are located throughout Broadmead to highlight important buildings and spaces, for example in front of Wesley Chapel, creaƟ ng a visual link with the historic materials in the Old City. The street furniture is robust - Ɵ mber and stainless steel benches, cycle stands, liƩ er bins, tree grilles and bollards. There are a good number of street trees, and public art highlights the central Podium space. This vocabulary of contemporary materials should be conƟ nued throughout the primary shopping areas on Union Street and Nelson Street. Some decluƩ ering is required, however, in parƟ cular the relocaƟ on of the very prominent cctv column that reduces the impact of the gateway sail structure.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 20 City Design Group Site Analysis 121 ExisƟ ng traĸ c around study area 2 Proposed traĸ c changes following MetroBus
Vehicular movement
ExisƟ ng traĸ c
Rupert Street and Lewins Mead are the two main transport corridors in the area, carrying high volumes of vehicles to and from The Centre. Nelson Street is less busy and is closed to general traĸ c at Quay Street. It is, however, an important cycling corridor and major public transport corridor, with general traĸ c gaining access via Christmas Street, which is currently two-way, and through Corn Street. The area is very well served by public transport and there are a high number of local bus stops. It contains both public mulƟ -storey car parks and private car parks, two of which are accessed from Nelson Street and contribute to the blank ground Ň oor frontages that make the pedestrian environment so uninviƟ ng. MetroBus Traĸ c movements will change considerably with the KEY implementaƟ on of MetroBus. General traĸ c lanes will General traĸ c Taxi rank be reduced and restricted to Colston Avenue West. Access to Nelson Street will be via Christmas Street, Cycle lanes Taxis only which will become one-way in only. Quay Street will become two-way, for access and taxis only. Bus lanes Private car park Old City public realm project Bus, Taxi and MulƟ storey car A key element of the public realm improvements access only park strategy in the Old City is the removal of through traĸ c and parking, to enable the streets to be opened Bus stops up for more pedestrian friendly uses. This includes the aspiraƟ on to pedestrianise Corn Street - it is currently Access only N closed to traĸ c only at weekends - which will in turn Not to scale further reduce through traĸ c in Nelson Street.
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 21 Public realm analysis - Movement
Key:
P r i m a r y p e d e s t r i a n routes S e c o n d a r y p e d e s t r i a n routes Primary cycle route
Stairway impedes footway and needs to * to be relocated Node
Limited permeability needs improving * New pedestrian link
N Not to scale
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 22 City Design Group Public realm analysis - Place
Key: L a n d m a r k b u i l d i n g s and places SigniĮ cant buildings AcƟ ve frontages Proposed acƟ ve frontages SigniĮ cant views * NegaƟ v e f e a t u r e s - nb. aerial walkways * due to be removed * Blank frontages
Gateway Historic paving materials * ExisƟ ng street * trees - aŌ er current developments Incidental spaces needing upgrading
New public spaces
N Not to scale
Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 City Design Group 23 Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy December 2014 24 City Design Group