Bristol City Council leads £3.6m project to extend the M1 metrobus, enhancing the route with new stops and cycleways.

Plans have been approved by the West of England Mayoral Combine Authority to extend the m1 metrobus route in south Bristol, with almost £3.6 million to be invested in the expansion.

The works, which are led by Bristol City Council, will see six bus stops upgraded with new, high quality shelters and real-time information displays.

The route, which currently travels between Cribbs Causeway and Hengrove Park via Patchway, Aztec West, Stoke Gifford, UWE Frenchay Campus, Broadmead, Bristol city centre, Bedminster, Inns Court and Hengrove, would be extended to also serve William Jessop Way by Bridge Learning Campus, Hawkfield Road, and Imperial Retail Park.

This investment will also deliver improvements for Hawkfield Road, including a new two-way segregated cycleway and traffic calming measures like speed cushions and raised tables, up to Hartcliffe Way.

The junction of Whitchurch Lane and William Jessop Way would see upgraded crossings as part of the project, with new or upgraded crossings proposed at the junctions of each of Briscoes Avenue, Butterfly Lane, and Fulford Road with Hawkfield Road too.

Plans have been approved by the West of England Mayoral Combine Authority to extend the m1 metrobus route in south Bristol, with almost £3.6 million to be invested in the expansion. | WECA

placeholder image — Plans have been approved by the West of England Mayoral Combine Authority to extend the m1 metrobus route in south Bristol, with almost £3.6 million to be invested in the expansion. | WECA

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “This £4 million government-funded project, with the regional authority and local council working together, will ultimately mean that more people in south Bristol can access the popular m1 metrobuses.

“With new night buses and new green electric buses rolling out here in the West, together we’re beginning to build the bus network that people across our region deserve.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: "It's great news that we have secured the funding to extend the m1 service further into south Bristol.

“Hartcliffe residents will also benefit from a safer environment for walking, wheeling and cycling along Hawkfield Road, with a new separated cycle route and traffic calming measures.

“This is a good example of how we can use Bristol's proportion of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, working with the Mayoral Combined Authority, to improve sustainable transport links across Bristol."

Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said: “I welcome the additional bus provision for my constituents with the extension of the m1 to Imperial Park.

“This announcement comes after the launch of the 36 bus and the extension of the 43 route this year. I look forward to seeing further service improvements across Bristol South.”

The funding is part of the UK government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for the West of England, secured by the combined authority, and a further £260,000 will be contributed via section 106 funding from the council, committed from the Lake Shore, Imperial Park, and Hawkfield Road developments to support delivery of the overall scheme and bus services.