The long-awaited Stoke Gifford By-Pass, officially known as the Stoke Gifford Transport Link (SGTL), was opened to general traffic earlier today (Monday 18th December).
It provides a much more direct link between Bradley Stoke and Junction 1 of the M32 at Hambrook, avoiding the need to travel through the main part of Stoke Gifford or along the current alternative route via Old Gloucester Road and Bristol Road further to the east.
The new road, which is 1.6km (one mile) long, has been constructed through open countryside to the east of Stoke Gifford (see map on right; click to enlarge). It links Parkway North Roundabout on Great Stoke Way (A) and the A4174 Ring Road (D), emerging at a junction opposite the Holiday Inn.
Its construction has required the installation of two new bridges, one over the main railway line (B, near Kings Drive) and the second over the Ham Brook (C, close to the new Crest Nicholson housing development at Highbrook Park).
Between the two bridges, the SGTL crosses over Hambrook Lane at a signal controlled junction, where traffic movements are restricted to ‘ahead only’ on both roads.
It was originally intended that buses on the Cribbs Causeway to Hengrove MetroBus route would begin using the new road as soon as it opened, but delays in the construction of other sections of the MetroBus network and the supply and installation of iPoints (information and ticket machines that will feature at all MetroBus stops) mean that the service is now unlikely to start until summer 2018 (according to a recent press release from the West of England Councils’ MetroBus team).
To access the new road from Bradley Stoke, travel south down Bradley Stoke Way until reaching Great Stoke Roundabout (a.k.a. ‘Rabbit Roundabout’). Go straight on at the roundabout and proceed south along Great Stoke Way (under the ‘Blue Bridge’) until reaching Parkway North Roundabout. Here you will find a new option to go straight on (rather than taking the previously obligatory right turn towards Parkway Station) – this is the start of the new by-pass.
A more detailed report about the opening of the new road will appear in the January issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine, delivered between 27th December and 3rd January.
Photo: SGTL looking south towards UWE from the Hambrook Lane junction (taken on 16th December as the road was prepared for opening).
Any reports yet on the impact to Hatchett Rd, Stoke Gifford and traffic flow in the Aztech West area?
A great piece of new road just a shame they haven’t finished it before it has opened. The number of cones on the road along with the lights turned off at night (contrary to South Glos advice http://www.southglos.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/streets/road-and-traffic-management-information/lighting-street-lights/part-night-lighting/) means one has to drive carefully.