Bristol road closures: Major route to close for TEN nights and one weekend in headache for commuters

Preparations are being made to close the A4 Portway in both directions for 10 nights and one weekend early in the new year to carry out these major tree works.

The work will take place over three phases:

• Week 1: A4 Portway will be closed from Park Road to Sylvan Way between 9pm and 5.30am from January 13 to 17.
• Week 2: A4 Portway will be closed from Sylvan Way to Bridge Valley Road between 9pm and 5.30am from January 20 to 24.
• Weekend: Bridge Valley Road and the A4 Portway from Sylvan Way to Cumberland Basin will be closed between 2am and 2pm on Saturday, February 1 and between 2am and 4pm on Sunday, February 2.

The Cumberland Basin flyover (Brunel Way A3029) will remain open throughout the works. However, during the weekend closures on 1 and 2 February, the slipways onto the A4 Portway will be closed. This includes Bennett Way, Cabot Way and a section of Cumberland Basin Road under Plimsoll Bridge.

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee, said: “Specialist officers have carried out a thorough assessment to make sure we are tackling diseased trees that are most likely to cause a problem to the road network.

"The A4 Portway is a major route linking the north and south of the city and we apologise for any delay and disruption caused to residents by the overnight and weekend closures. However, these are essential works that must be done to prevent trees with ash dieback potentially failing and falling onto the road.

"We have planned the works in for a relatively quiet time of the year and we hope everyone will bear with us while they are carried out.”

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Ash dieback is a fungal disease that is causing a widespread decline of common ash trees across the UK and Europe. It is spread from fungal spores carried by the wind, and little can be done to prevent it from spreading. Infected trees become weaker, which increases the risk of falling branches or trees.

Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the public health and communities committee, added: “Like so many landowners and land stewards across the country, we are taking action to remove ash trees that pose a danger to the public as they are diseased and will only grow weaker.

“The trees are self-seeded and grow in amongst other species, so we expect the gaps to be filled in naturally over time.

“It will be sad to lose these mature and beautiful trees that have been part of our landscape and the iconic view of the Avon Gorge for many years, but we cannot leave these high risk trees so close to one of Bristol’s busiest roads.

“As a council, we regret the loss of any trees and are committed to growing the city’s tree canopy. Since 2015 we have planted around 100,000 through the One Tree Per Child and Trees for Streets programmes.”

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The felled trees will be processed into woodchip and used to fuel bio-mass boilers in various buildings, including some public buildings like schools and leisure centres.

This work has been programmed with guidance from council ecologists, in agreement with Natural England, and the Forestry Commission will be licensing the work.

Signage setting out the road closures will be in place ahead of the works and the diversionary routes for the three phases will be signposted.

Keep up to date with local road closures and diversions at https://one.network/.