Frustrated Bristol residents hit out at ‘shambles’ road closure

Residents in south Bristol have hit out at a road closure in place for the next 12 weeks despite claims there has been no sign of any work starting.

The junction of Salcombe Road and Airport Road has been fully closed since Monday (October 23), but residents have asked if it is necessary.

The closure means cars, buses and pedestrians are unable to use the road, which is a main route between Knowle West and Hengrove.

The road, which runs through the new BoKlok on the Brook development, was also supposed to be closed for 12 weeks some time ago, before quickly reopening.

“This section of Salcombe Road has been closed again (for 12 weeks) since Monday but there is no sign of any work starting,” said one resident in the BS14 community support Facebook group.

“Was it necessary to close it if they are not ready to begin?”

Others have responded to the road closure unfavourably, calling it a ‘shambles’.

When BristolWorld visited the site on Friday afternoon, the closure was in place but no work was being carried out.

Commenting on the matter, local Hengrove & Whitchurch Park councillor Tim Kent told BristolWorld: “Managers had previously informed me that they still had some works to do on the road - bus stops and utilities.

“I am though concerned that little activity is happening and can not see a justification for a 12 week closure.”

The BoKlok on the Brook development has seen 173 new homes built across both sides on the road and is almost complete.

When contacted about road closure, a spokesperson for BoKlok - which is co-owned by IKEA and Skanska - said it is in order to improve traffic calming measures.

A BoKlok spokesperson told BristolWorld: “We acknowledge the inconvenience caused by the road closure at the SalcombeRoad junction.

“Through a formal Road Closure Notice submitted to Bristol City Council we are following the necessary procedures and processes to ensure that all health and safety regulations are maintained.

“Once this process is complete there will be improved traffic calming measures for all road users along this route”.

Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment.