Bristol's A4 Portway could be closed

More than three miles of one of Bristol's main roads could be closed to motorists on summer Sundays under plans put forward by city councillors.

Liberal Democrat Councillor John Rogers has said the A4 Portway could become cycle-only once-a-week with traffic re-routed across The Downs and Whiteladies Road.

Councillor Rogers said: "For a minor amount of inconvenience to some motorists this would be a fantastic opportunity for Bristol families."

The idea follows the success of Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride, where the road was closed for 7,000 cyclists to take part, but it has been met with staunch criticism by the Association of British Drivers (ABD).

Councillor Rogers said: "We've talked about it before, the road is closed for the bike ride and for the Bristol Half Marathon it works well for those two days of the year so why not extend it to become something that happens monthly or weekly? People can cycle or walk and enjoy the view safely."

There is already a cycle path which runs from Bristol to Portishead on the opposite side of the river but Councillor Rogers said that making the Portway bike only could mean people could cycle up one side and back along the other and it would give them more space.

The plans, which would affect traffic from the Cumberland Basin fly-over to the turning at Sylvan Way, could be up and running in a matter of weeks if Bristol residents gave the idea the go ahead.

"If this is what people wanted then it could be running by this summer", Councillor Rogers said.

But the Association of British Drivers called the idea "absolute rubbish."

Spokesman Bob Bull said a plan to close the main road into the centre of Bristol from the motorway was "crackpot."

"There are a tremendous amount of areas around Bristol that are cyclist only, let them stay there and enjoy themselves.

"Closing major roads for cyclists is ridiculous," he added.

Under the proposal Ladies Mile across The Downs would also close on summer Sundays, a suggestion first mentioned in 2004.

Mr Rogers said Bristol was a city with ambition and it should be looking at ways of making it better - particularly at weekends.

"The idea of everyone being able to take their children and cycle along The Portway to Sylvan Way in a car-free environment enjoying the scenery is a really exciting opportunity - people have been talking about this for years.

"The other proposal of Ladies Mile would also create a nice environment for cyclists with perhaps less of an impact.

"On a Sunday the amount of traffic along the Portway is relatively light and I'm not aware of any buses that run down it because the park and ride only runs Monday to Saturday.

"Internationally other cities do this and it is amazing to see. The bike ride created such a fun, friendly atmosphere it would be fantastic to create that safe environment for cyclists and pedestrians more regularly.

"I'm keen we should look at these options - there are so many things we could do for our transport and leisure opportunities.

"I am happy to hear any ideas on how we can improve on the offer we have," he added.

The residents most affected by the proposal, those who live along The Portway, were mostly in favour of the proposal but there were a few voices of dissent.

HGV driver Andrew Sanders, 51, said: "It would be nice to have it closed on Sundays. It would be so peaceful.

"Even once a month would be nice. As an HGV driver it's nice to get away from the noise of traffic."

Jim Riley, 62, who has lived in his home next to The Portway for 23 years, said: "You get used to the traffic here, but I would be delighted to see the road closed on a Sunday. It's nice to see people out and about when there's an event."

But one resident who works six days a week and does her shopping on a Sunday is vehemently opposed to Sunday closures.

The mother, who did not want to be named, said: "They close the road for the marathon and the bike ride. It wasn't too bad years ago when they gave residents access but now you get interrogated by the marshals just to get back to your own house.

"During the last bike event I had no access whatsoever. There were bikes in the residents' lane so I could not get to my own house. It would be a nightmare if the road was closed every Sunday."

Jacqueline McAlpine, who works in a coffee bar, said: "I would not mind as long as we had access.

"We need to be able to come and go. It was lovely with the road closed on Sunday."

Jeremy Horwood, 49, who works at Avonmouth, has just moved to a house on The Portway.

He said: "We were going out buying things for the house on Sunday and had to park in a side street.

"I could live with it but it seems odd to close a main road like the A4 - they wouldn't close the Bath Road would they?"

Neighbour Nick O'Hara, 42, a nurse, said: "It makes a nice change when the dual carriageway is closed.

"The noise levels are very high and it's noticeably quieter. Normally when The Portway is closed the residents still get access."

Another Portway resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It would be bliss. On Sunday we sat at the front of our house and we could hear the birds and the cows in the fields opposite.

"We have a superb view but it's very noisy here. It would be wonderful if the road were closed on a Sunday."

John Hirst, manager of Broadmead shopping centre, said: "We wouldn't have a major issue with this plan, we have no problems on Sunday when the road was shut for the bike ride. If people know well enough in advance its fine."