ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

SOUTH COUNCIL ( WAY, AZTEC WEST) (RESERVED BUS LANES) (24 HOURS) ORDER 200[8]

S T A T E M E N T O F R E A S O N S

GREATER BUS NETWORK CORRIDOR 4 – Route 73 – Aztec West Roundabout

Purpose of Scheme

To improve conditions at the roundabout which should:

• Improve bus reliability and punctuality and reduce journey times. • Increase the number of bus passengers. • Increase satisfaction with bus services. • Improve the pedestrian and cyclist routes at the roundabout. • Reduce congestion for all traffic using the roundabout.

Background

The Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) has been identified in the Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP) for Bristol City, , North and Bath and North East Somerset Councils. The aim of the GBBN is to provide an overall improvement to all aspects of bus services. Encouraging bus use is central to meeting targets linked to the four shared priorities of congestion, air quality, road safety and accessibility. The total cost of Greater Bristol Bus Network scheme is £70.3million. This is made up of funding from the Department for Transport, who are contributing a maximum of £42.3 million; First, the local bus operator are contributing £20million; £6million contribution from developers and the rest from the local authorities.

Key bus route corridors through and surrounding Bristol have been identified for enhancement. The Aztec West Roundabout Scheme features in Corridor Four - Service 73. Corridor Four serves a large number of very popular destinations including central Bristol, the employment areas to the north of Bristol, Bristol Parkway station and shops and facilities at Cribbs Causeway and a significant number of residential communities including Bradley Stoke. Many of the routes to these destinations are congested resulting in considerable delays to bus services.

Proposed Scheme

The carriageway will be widened to provide new eastbound and westbound bus lanes between the Aztec West Business Park and Woodlands Lane. An additional bus lane is proposed eastbound on the exit from the business park. This will allow buses to avoid the queues and delays that occur on the approaches to the roundabout during the weekday morning and evening peak periods. Improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians are included in the form of a pedestrian refuge island on the Bradley Stoke Way exit of the roundabout and an upgraded signalised crossing at the Bradley Stoke Way/ Woodlands Lane junction. Cyclists will also be able to use the bus lanes.

In addition to the new bus lanes an extra general traffic lane is to be provided on Bradley Stoke Way from Aztec West roundabout to the Woodlands Lane junction in an eastward direction.

Additional general traffic lanes are also proposed on the northbound and southbound sides of the Aztec West roundabout gyratory.

To facilitate these changes and further reduce congestion on Bradley Stoke Way westbound, the right turn lane into Woodlands Lane from Bradley Stoke Way is proposed to be banned.