Anger as key Bristol road to remain closed after reopening hit by further delays

The closure of an important road in South Bristol which has been shut for more than four months has been extended - sparking anger within the community.      

The junction of Salcombe Road and Airport Road, a key access route between the communities of Knowle West and Hengrove, will remain closed until mid-April.     

It has been shut since October 23, while work takes place as part of a new housing development being built on either side of the road.    

Originally closed for 12 weeks, this was then extended to 19 weeks and it was due to reopen on Monday (March 3). But a new road closure sign put up this week says it will now be shut for six weeks from March 3.   

“Becoming a joke now,” was the view of one member of the local Filwood Residents Association about the latest delay.    

“They took ages to change the closed sign last time to 19 weeks. But they seem to be dragging it out,” added another.           

After the road did not reopen as planned in January, the council blamed it on ‘previously unknown underground cables being found’ and ‘recent extreme weather conditions’.     

The road runs between the BoKlok on the Brook housing development, which has seen 173 new homes built across both sides of the road.   

The developer BoKlok, owned by Ikea, has previously said the road is closed to install improved traffic calming measures, with a new bus stop being built on either side.      

The road is used by the 73 bus route, which has had to be rerouted due to the closure. Residents have said it is also causing tailbacks along Airport Road.     

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Tim Kent, councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, previously told BristolWorld that the closure is having a “profound” effect on the community. 

“We have other major traffic works in the area, the diversion to the 73 bus is substantial and the failure to progress works in a timely manner is unacceptable,” he said.  

BoKlok previously told BristolWorld to contact Bristol City Council about the road closure delay. The council has been contacted for comment.