Cycle route plan for Brislington set to be refused in light of possible A4 relief road

Plans for a cycle route along an old railway line in Brislington look set to be refused after council officers said the area should remain clear for transport improvements, which could mean a possible road known as the Callington Road Link.

The officers’ report appears to provide more evidence that the city council is considering building the road, as revealed by BristolWorld last month, despite cabinet member Craig Cheney stating it was no longer planned in November.

The cycle and pedestrian route proposal for the strip of old line between Tramway Road and Talbot Road close to Tesco Extra is the subject of a planning application by Greenway and Cycleroutes Ltd due to be decided by councillors on March 16.

Brislington East councillor Tim Rippington asked for the application to be decided by a committee of councillors and wrote in support of the idea, stating it would ‘help unite the two halves of Brislington, currently severed by the A4’.

However, in a report to the meeting next week, officers have recommended refusal.

It is after the council's transport development management officers raised an objection because they consider a cycle route ‘premature and prejudicial’ to the A4 Strategic Corridor Project, which could include a road along the old line.

The project aims for a mass transit along the A4, reducing congestion and improving the environment.

The officers’ report states detailed work is ongoing to work up possible options for the best use of the Callington Road Link, from Callington Road near Tesco to Sandy Park Road, as part of the project.

Last month, it was revealed that three options has been drawn up for the project - including two to build a road, one for a bus route and the other for buses and normal traffic.

This came as a surprise to some people after Councillor Cheney’s assertion at a meeting in November.

The officers’ report for the cycle route planning applications states: “Detailed work is ongoing to work up options for the best use of the disused rail alignment as part of the A4 Strategic Corridor Project

“As such we consider that any decision to allow one particular solution for this corridor would be premature as it could prejudice a range of alternative options which could potentially provide much better all-round solutions to the transport problems of south east Bristol and the wider A4 corridor to Bath.

“Significant investment is being made and public engagement being planned to develop a preferred option which would allow a fully worked up business case to be submitted to funding bodies to allow this key piece of infrastructure to be delivered, with support of the residents and to enhance the local area.”

Also to be considered at next week’s planning meeting is a linked application for 50 cargo units for business and commercial use on part of the Tramway industrial estate on the side of the line - which has also been recommended for refusal for the same reason.

Last month a spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “No decision has been taken regarding the A4, as to what options will be considered for further development.

“It is premature to suggest which options are preferred or will be taken forward, and any proposal that is taken forward will need to be supported by local people whilst delivering the level of sustainable transport improvements the city needs.”