Prince Street Bridge should have one of its lanes closed to cars, says Bristol director of public health, Dr Hugh Annett.

Dr Annett spoke out in support of the council plan to make one lane of the bridge exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians.

"I recognise that this is a compromise to accommodate the needs of all bridge users and so runs the risk of not entirely satisfying any group of users," he said.

"However, this compromise should both minimise disruption of traffic flow at peak times while making it easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

"We really do need to make the city an attractive and safe environment for active travel, both to improve people's health and help resolve traffic congestion.

"It will encourage more people who don't cycle now to give it a go as they will be sign posted to easy and safe cycle routes.

"For people who already cycle it will encourage them to build on the benefits they have already noticed in taking more regular exercise."

This year Bristol was awarded £22.8 million for its Cycling City bid, which aims to double the city's cyclists in two-and-a-half years.

The grant is public money, with half coming from the Government and the rest from the city council and South Gloucestershire Council.

The bridge is earmarked for Bristol's first rapid transit bus route from Ashton Vale to the city centre, due to be complete by 2013.