Bristol City Council begins 18 weeks of Portway roadworks

Bristol City Council will begin a multi-week phase of construction on the A4 Portway on Monday, November 2, introducing traffic controls that will last approximately 18 weeks. The work targets the stretch between Bridge Valley Road and Hotwell Road, extending up to the Mardyke Wharf Car Park near the Bristol Marina.

Crews will upgrade pavement, kerbs, drainage, and street lighting throughout the duration. The council plans to resurface the road and apply new markings overnight in the spring to minimize daytime impact. Lane closures will affect nearby routes including Granby Hill, Cabot Way, Bennett Way, Cumberland Basin Road, Faraday Road, Bristol Gate, Hope Chapel Hill, Merchant’s Road, Christina Terrace, Clifton Vale, Ambra Vale, and Rownham Mead.

Parking restrictions will be enforced on a rolling basis as the project progresses. Drivers may need to follow signed diversions when work occurs at junctions. Bus routes will generally remain unchanged, though bus lanes may experience intermittent closures. Pedestrians and cyclists will be directed to follow signed alternative routes.

The current phase is part of a larger £23m investment to redevelop the Portway, which spans from the M5 at Avonmouth through the Avon Gorge to Hotwell Road. The council states the project aims to reduce congestion, improve bus reliability, and encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling on the corridor. The full project is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.

Local opposition has questioned the cost trajectory. Councillor Jonathan Hucker, a Conservative representing Stockwood, criticized the expenditure during a meeting on September 29. He noted that the Portway was the world's most expensive road when it opened in 1926, costing £800,000 at the time, which he calculated as £42m in today's money. Hucker suggested the current project could result in the most expensive bus lanes globally upon completion.