Avon Gorge Transport Route

My idea is to replace the Portway with a rapid transit/bus/train route, cycleway and nature trail.  The public transport would have to be electric and quiet and would need to leave room for a cycle path and walking route.There would need to be a park and ride scheme at the Sea mills end of the route.

Together the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge repepresent a world class natural heritage site combining wonderful natural history with a marvellous piece of engineering history, only spoilt by the Portway.  

 

Why the contribution is important

This would be an example of a bold and radical sustainable transport system which would have huge knock on effects on the potential of the gorge for nature, heritage and attracting visitors to Bristol.

This idea would help in any application for the bridge to become a World Heritage Site by removing the road which ruins the experience of being in the gorge. 

by user479461 on November 20, 2013 at 05:28PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.9
Based on: 10 votes

Comments

  • Posted by user463519 November 21, 2013 at 14:07

    Living fairly near to the Portway I've enjoyed the traffic free days during rock inspections & have often dreamed of a traffic free valley, however I fear it can only be a dream.

    The road is a major arterial highway into Bristol allowing cars,taxis, coaches goods etc to enter Bristol from the Motorway. If it was closed then traffic would be forced onto far more unsuitable roads such as through Shirehampton, up through Abbots Leigh etc.

    We already have rapid transit along Portway - The Severn Beach line which, if Henbury loop is included, will be Bristol's circle line.

    A cycle track, which I use, should be improved by making outward bound traffic single lane. I've never seen both lanes fully used outbound.

  • Posted by user479461 November 21, 2013 at 17:27

    Response to Force4to5
    This is a radical proposal which needs radical thinking. The traffic into Bristol needs to be reduced. We need to make the transport system so good that people want to park and ride and then there will be no need for a choked up road going through our wonderful gorge.
    If the Portishead Railway could become the rapid transit route, the Portway road could become a cycle path and nature park.

  • Posted by user734334 November 24, 2013 at 10:35

    Great ideas here!

  • Posted by user803350 January 21, 2014 at 20:42

    I couldn't agree more. The Avon Gorge is a natural wonder, and with the suspension bridge would be an international attraction for bristol if it were not for the Portway which completely ruins it. Critics who believe the Portway must remain open for goods deliveries could maybe agree to a solution where road access for lorries could be retained for a few hours a day in the early morning, with the route being served by electric buses and the severn beach line during the day. If the Avon Gorge were currently a thriving tourist attraction would any planners agree to building the portway?
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