£14 million funding request for Bedminster Green works to be considered by council

Council funding from Bristol City Council will, if approved, help to ensure that the transformation of Bedminster Green – which will see over 2,000 new homes built, including affordable homes and student accommodation – also responds to the climate and ecological emergencies by creating sustainable transport connections, enhanced public spaces and increased flood storage Capacity.

Transport improvements would include a new bus lane on the A38, wider footpaths and improved cycling routes that will connect with existing routes through and near Bedminster Green, improving sustainable travel connections with the city centre, Bristol Airport and East Street.

New planting, sustainable drainage and flood measures would help to future-proof the area for a changing climate.

The proposed works, which were strongly supported in a public consultation earlier this year, would also deliver a restored and re-naturalised River Malago.

The river will be brought back above ground, making it more visible to local people and providing a place for wildlife to thrive, while also creating a place for flood waters to be stored, improving flood resilience in the area.

The request to Cabinet comes after an initial in-principle allocation of up to £6 million Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding by Cabinet in March 2019.

This allocation was based on the high-level information that was available at the time.

Following detailed designs and cost analysis, the council now has a clear idea of the funds needed to deliver this work, which will begin on site in 2022.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Bedminster Green is a significant opportunity to bring much-needed new homes to south Bristol, alongside sustainable transport links and improved public spaces, including a revitalised River Malago.

“If approved by Cabinet this funding would enable these crucial works to progress in the coming months, driving forward the regeneration of the area in a way that also responds to the climate and ecological emergencies.”

Funding is proposed to come from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement

(CRSTS), with a bid currently being considered by central government, and the £6m CIL approved by Cabinet in 2019 proposed as match funding.

The CRSTS will allocate significant funds to the west of England region. The council is confident that the Bedminster Green project is a suitable candidate for CRSTS funding because plans are at an advanced stage and the money will enable sustainable growth and improve strategic transport links across the city.