Bristol residents hit out at ‘very annoying and confusing’ road closure

South Bristol residents have hit out at the ‘very annoying and confusing’ closure of a road, which they say should have reopened by now.  

The junction of Salcombe Road and Airport Road closed for 12 weeks from October 23, while work for a new housing development which borders the site took place.   

But the road, which is a key access route between Knowle West and Hengrove, did not reopen as expected on January 15.   

Developer BoKlok, who are behind the closure, said the reopening delay is due to an ‘unidentified apparatus within the road'.

The council added that previously unknown underground cables and 'recent extreme weather conditions' are why the closure has been extended.

"The traffic around this area is crazy especially on Airport Road," one resident told BristolWorld about the impact of the closure.  

"The locals are creating a group to find out what's happening.

"Online it says no works are being carried out. But Google says it's closed, very annoying and confusing."

Swedish firm BoKlok previously said the road was closed to install improved traffic calming measures.           

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

Residents previously spoke out when the road closure was first put in place, after no work seemed to take place for the first two weeks of the closure. 

Commenting on the ongoing closure, Tim Kent, councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, said: “The effect this is having on the community is profound.  

“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.” 

BristolWorld asked BoKlok when the road will reopen and why it is still closed.   

A BoKlok spokesperson said: "This delay is a result of unidentified apparatus within the road.

"If you require any more information about it, please contact the Highways department at Bristol City Council who are fully aware of the situation."

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council added: "Salcombe Road’s A4174 junction is currently closed due to works for the BoKlok development taking place, where 173 much-needed new homes are being built.

 "Due to the discovery of the previously unknown underground cables, that must be removed before work can continue, this road closure has been extended.

"This unforeseen issue, as well as the recent extreme weather conditions which make laying concrete more difficult, has unfortunately delayed the road reopening."