Key points in this month’s MetroBus construction report, compiled with assistance from Alun Griffith (Contractors) Ltd, are:
- Overnight closures of Bradley Stoke Way scheduled to start in September
- 12-week lane closure planned on westbound Bradley Stoke Way, but …
- Discovery of ANOTHER uncharted gas main could delay work
Overnight closures of Bradley Stoke Way
A traffic order has been published to allow the temporary closure of a section of Bradley Stoke Way to allow final resurfacing work to be carried out on areas that have been affected by the construction of the North Fringe to Hengrove MetroBus scheme.
The section in question extends from the Aztec West Roundabout (junction with A38 Gloucester Road) to Patchway Brook Roundabout (junction with Pear Tree Road, Bowsland Way and Brook Way).
To give maximum flexibility, the traffic order allows for the closure to last for a maximum of eighteen months starting 19th September 2016. However, it is currently anticipated that the work will be completed within a 15-WEEK period, with the road being closed (and signed diversions being in place) ONLY AT NIGHT. Furthermore, it is anticipated that it will only be necessary to close the road on selected nights. MetroBus contractors Alun Griffiths have confirmed that this should only be for “several nights” out of the 15-week period. Signage will put out giving adequate notice of the exact dates and times of these closures.
During periods of closure, the signed alternative route will be: Bradley Stoke Way (part unaffected), B4057 Winterbourne Road, Hatchet Road, Brierly Furlong, Fox Den Road, Great Stoke Way, A4174 Station Road, A4174 Link Road, A38 Gloucester Road North, A38 Gloucester Road and vice versa.
The traffic order may be viewed on the town council website. Alun Griffiths have asked us to point out that the message on the website is “the strict wording from a legal position”. To allay concerns, a further advisory box has been now been added explaining that it involves only night-time work.
Left filter lane closure on Bradley Stoke Way
In order to construct the new bus lane between Bradley Stoke Way and the southbound A38 (at the Aztec West Roundabout) it will be necessary to close 80 metres of the westbound filter lane on Bradley Stoke Way for an expected 12 weeks. The closure was expected to begin on Monday 25th July. This has now been suspended. Following Bristol Water vacating the site, after conclusion of their works, Griffiths were able to fully access the area and further testing has led to the discovery of an uncharted additional gas main in the verge. Griffiths and South Gloucestershire Council are in dialogue with Wales and West utilities for a schedule to resolve this, so that widening works on the nearside lane towards Aztec West can continue. Griffiths say they currently have no new date for the start of this work, but will advise further in due course.
Work elsewhere on Bradley Stoke Way
Work on the stretch between Patchway Brook Roundabout and the Willow Brook Centre is progressing well. Work on the ‘newt mitigation pond’ in Bowsland Meadow is now complete. Activity in this zone will continue until Christmas, although the work area will switch to the other side road, where drainage works are required, from October.
Further down Bradley Stoke Way, work is due to start during August on the construction of four new MetroBus bus stops. These sites are located close to the Webbs Wood and Great Meadow roundabouts. They will be worked on one at a time and off-peak traffic signals will be deployed.
Great Stoke Way
Great Stoke Way is now complete, apart from some final surfacing works, which should be completed by the end of the summer. Cones will remain in place until this work is done, to slow and funnel traffic for safety reasons.
Hambrook Lane
Hambrook Lane in Stoke Gifford will reopen on 1st August. This coincides with an order extending the 30mph area by a further 200 metres south-east of the existing 30mph signs near the junction with Curtis Lane. This is to reflect the new and future changing nature of the road in conjunction with the Stoke Gifford Transport Link for MetroBus being built.
The road has been closed since August 2015 to allow MetroBus to construct two new bridges, a new junction and a pedestrian and cycle path for the forthcoming Stoke Gifford Transport Link.
The narrow road was closed for nearly a year because it isn’t wide enough to accommodate construction works and traffic. Access for residents was maintained throughout the construction period.
The reopening of the road will alleviate congestion for motorists in the north of the city.
A4174 Ring Road
Work continues on the A4174 bus and 2+ lane closure westbound from J1 M32 and central reservation work. Traffic management and barriers will then be installed on the westbound lane 1, to allow works to commence on Tuesday 26th July until the end of August. Once this is complete, operations on the A4174 will be suspended until the traffic signals are commissioned in the winter.
Photo #1: Aerial view of MetroBus roadworks on Bradley Stoke Way (July 2016). Contractors Alun Griffiths say they will need to close the left filter lane on the approach to the Aztec West Roundabout for an expected period of 12 weeks. This will reduce the total number of lanes entering the roundabout from three to two. However, the commencement date for the lane closure is currently uncertain following the discovery of an uncharted gas main in the adjacent verge.
Photo #2: Footway diversion and carriageway lane closure on the westbound approach of Bradley Stoke Way to the Aztec West Roundabout.
Related links:
- MetroBus community website (Alun Griffiths)
- MetroBus construction in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
- Stoke Gifford Transport Link (The Journal)
This article originally appeared in the August 2016 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
