A pedestrian zone on Princess Victoria Street is to be made permanent following a three-year trial. The daily timed closure of the stretch between Regent Street and Waterloo Street in Clifton was put in place in August 2021.
Since then, it has offered visitors a traffic-free space from 11am to 5pm to walk, wheel and cycle. It has also allowed hospitality venues extra space to place tables and chairs on the road for outdoor eating and drinking, giving the area a new lease of life.
Following engagement with Princess Victoria Street businesses, Bristol City Council has confirmed that construction work will take place from Monday, January 27, to replace the temporary road closure measures with permanent infrastructure.
The work, which is expected to take up to five months to complete, will include:
- Creating a continuous raised level surface with natural stone paving.
- Installing a strip of tactile paving to differentiate between the pavements and the road.
- Replacing the temporary parklet with permanent materials, including bench seating.
- Installing new planters and landscaping the area.
- Maintaining space for café seating.
- Installing more cycle parking.
- Replacing the bollards at either end of the timed road closure with gates to prevent motorised vehicles from entering.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “Princess Victoria Street is a vibrant area that has seen the benefits of offering a traffic-free space. Visitors have been enjoying browsing and shopping in a relaxed environment and taking advantage of all the outdoor spaces to eat and drink.
“I am delighted the scheme is progressing to the next stage, which will see the temporary materials replaced with permanent infrastructure, including new paving and landscaping the area. I would like to thank the Clifton councillors who have really championed the pedestrianisation scheme and all the businesses and the Clifton Village Business Improvement District who have helped us to shape and refine the plans.”
The £655,000 scheme is being funded by the UK Government through its Community City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which is administered by Active Travel England, and also via its Community City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which is administered by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.