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RIF case study: East–West Link Road (Filton)
Project summary
Work has started on the new East-West link road connecting the
A38 through Filton and Patchway to the M5 and Cribbs Causeway,
thanks to £6 million in funding from the South West RDA (Regional
Development Agency).
Main messages
The £6 million RIF funding has enabled work to start on the
East-West link road straight away
The East-West Link Road will be a dual carriageway running from
the A38 in Patchway, through to the ‘San Andreas roundabout’ at
Cribbs Causeway, then bypassing the bottle-neck at Highwood Road.
It will complete the missing link for drivers in North Bristol,
connecting Cribbs Causeway (M5, junction 17) in the west to Bristol
Parkway, the M32 and Emersons Green in the east
As well as cutting congestion, the new road will allow
improvements to the orbital bus route and major new bus-only links
through the site and along the Highwood Road. This will make public
transport to and from work a much more attractive option for the
residents of Charlton Hayes and beyond.
Facts and figures
The South West RDA has provided £6 million in funding from the
Regional Infrastructure Fund. Work has started on the new East-West
link road and the new road will be finished in 2011.
Case study
The new East-West link road will connect the A38 through Filton
and Patchway to the M5 and Cribbs Causeway.
The road is part of the Northfield development sited on disused
land to the north of Filton airfield. The development, to be called
Charlton Hayes, will provide 2,200 new homes, a new school and
create up to 3,000 new jobs across 66,000 m² of new business space.
New premises will also be built next to the local shopping centre
in Patchway (off Highwood Road).
The East-West Link Road will be a dual carriage-way running from
the Royal Mail depot (opposite Gipsy Patch Lane) on the A38 in
Patchway, through to the ‘San Andreas roundabout’ at Cribbs
Causeway.
The road will run along the south side of the housing
development, currently Filton Airfield, bypassing the bottle-neck
at Highwood Road. It will complete the missing link for drivers in
North Bristol, connecting Cribbs Causeway (M5, junction 17) in the
west to Bristol Parkway, the M32 and Emersons Green in the
east.
As well as cutting congestion, the new road will allow
improvements to the orbital bus route and major new bus-only links
through the site and along the Highwood Road. This will provide
quicker and more reliable services, making public transport to and
from work a much more attractive option for the residents of
Charlton Hayes and beyond.
The new road is key to improving transport links between this
growing residential area and major employment sites, and has been
made possible through the Regional Infrastructure Fund from the
South West RDA.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund will enable this major road
project to start at the same time as the development. The Regional
Infrastructure Fund exists to help bring forward new development
that cannot proceed without upfront investment in key
infrastructure. The fund removes the uncertainty and allows
development to proceed. It then captures the contributions from
developers toward the infrastructure improvements and is re-cycled
within the Fund.
Conclusion
The £6 million RIF investment will allow the developer to start
building the road now – before the homes and business facilities
are completed. Easing congestion on the local road network and
creating dedicated bus routes will benefit local residents and help
businesses in the area to thrive.
Further information
Date case study written: March 2010
Theme: Regenerating the regions
Contact: South West RDA press office by email
news.enquiries@southwestrda.org.uk or telephone 01392 229389