It has been announced that the Woodlands Lane / Bradley Stoke Way junction will partially reopen by Monday 7th March. Traffic travelling down Bradley Stoke Way will be able to turn left into Woodlands Lane, reducing traffic using the diversion via Pear Tree Road.
Work is currently underway to widen Bradley Stoke Way, as part of putting the MetroBus network in place. The MetroBus team, contractors Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd and South Gloucestershire Council have worked together to bring forward the partial reopening, having listened to local residents concerned about heavy traffic using Woodlands Lane and Pear Tree Road as a diversion route.
The work was due to have been completed in January, but contractors found a number of uncharted gas pipes and cabling underneath the road. In addition, a water main on Bradley Stoke Way is shallower than expected, and needs diverting. These issues mean that additional design and utilities work is needed, and the road surface has to be raised much higher than originally planned.
For pedestrian safety, some of the footway along Bradley Stoke Way between Woodlands Lane and Orchard Gate will be closed during the week commencing 7th March; this will also allow contractors to work more quickly. Alternative pedestrian routes will be signposted.
It is expected that the left turn out of Woodlands Lane into Bradley Stoke Way will open in July. Installation of traffic signals at the junction will not be completed until later this year.
The MetroBus team will be talking to local residents about this at a meeting on Friday (26th February), organised by local MP Jack Lopresti. The meeting starts at 7pm in the main hall of Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Wood Lane, Bradley Stoke BS32 9BS.
MetroBus is a £200 million investment in a new form of public transport in the West of England. The 50km MetroBus network will deliver significant benefits for residents and businesses across the region when it opens in 2017 providing direct and reliable routes to key destinations, enabling thousands more people to access employment, education and leisure opportunities.
Building the MetroBus network involves substantial construction work and the MetroBus teams in South Gloucestershire, Bristol City and North Somerset councils and their contractors are working hard to minimise disruption to residents and businesses as far as possible.
Photo: The Woodlands Lane junction pictured on 21st February 2016.
Related link: MetroBus construction in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
Source: Press release issued by MetroBus / West of England.
What was the point?
They have hardly widened the road at all and have still kept the Bus Stop in the same place and not recessed it, so stopped Buses will still hold traffic up in that lane!
“contractors found a number of uncharted gas pipes and cabling underneath the road. In addition, a water main on Bradley Stoke Way is shallower than expected”
So, at the very least, can we expect substantial fines for the relevant utility companies for not complying with legislation when Bradley Stoke was being constructed?
If not, why not?
Uncharted gas pipes, what could possibly go wrong?
One for our erstwhile MP Mr Lopresti, surely?
A reader has been in touch to say traffic is now being allowed to turn left into Woodlands Lane from Bradley Stoke Way. There has been no official confirmation as yet.
Discussion on the BSJ Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BradleyStokeJournal/posts/1090770737639768
@FirstBSA tweeted at 12.10pm: “Bristol: Woodlands Lane, Bradley Stoke open for Bristol journeys only for service 73. Cribbs Causeway bound services remain on diversion”
https://twitter.com/FirstBSA/status/703190355131301888
West of England LEP have informed us that the bus stop between Aztec West roundabout and Woodlands Lane is open.