Gipsy Patch Lane closure - suggestions for drivers and cyclists

If you regularly drive that way, you will know that Gipsy Patch Lane has been closed at the railway bridge for the last week. This busy commuter route will be closed for about another three weeks for BT to divert underground cables - this is just preparation for an eight month closure from early 2020 for the railway bridge to be replaced, ready for the Cribbs Patchway Metrobus extension to run under it.

During this first closure the footway will still be open for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists to get through. There have however been complaints about cyclists still riding through, which is dangerous on this narrow path. So Cyclists, please get off your bikes and walk them through - it's only a few yards.

The signed diversion for motor vehicles is via Bradley Stoke Way and the A38, but that doesn't make sense if you're heading for Filton, Southmead etc. A better bet would be to take the road past Parkway Stattion to the MOD roundabout.

Works on M32 to extend bus lane

Road works to extend the M32 bus lane into Bristol are planned to start before the end of September. The existing south bound bus lane is being extended from Junction 3 to the railway bridge that crosses the motorway.

MetroBus's contractors will also be removing and replacing the central reservation, upgrading drainage and ducting, and installing Average Speed Cameras. The road works and improvements will take seven months and will finish in Spring 2017.

To minimise disruption the M32 will still be open whilst the road works take place, but there will be evenings when motorists will be diverted at Junction 3 via the slip roads on and off the motorway. There will also be two narrow lanes in both directions at Junction 3 for the installation of the south bound bus lane.

After work for the south bound bus lane has finished there will still be two lanes for general traffic in each direction.

Planning your journeys

The Travelwest website contains up to date travel information about road works in the West of England region:

Highways England also provides live traffic information for the motorway network via their website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk

Improving public transport

Extending the M32 bus lane will speed up bus journeys for MetroBus passengers, it will also mean quicker journeys for passengers on other bus services that use the motorway. Improving the reliability of bus services will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, reducing congestion for everyone.

The bus lane is part of a number of bus priority improvements that will make some bus journeys between the University of the West of England, Bradley Stoke and the city centre up to 30 minutes quicker. These improvements are for MetroBus, a smarter way of travelling that will speed up bus journey times, relieve congestion and reduce levels of pollution. MetroBus services will start in Autumn 2017.