The Transport Engagement team at the council have sent us this update about the repairs and road closures around the Banana Bridge. A key point is that a section of York Road between St Luke’s Road towards Bath Bridges will need to close from 6th April until June. The previously closed section (from St Luke’s Road towards Whitehouse Street) will re-open.

On a positive note for the environment, planting trees and vegetation along the stabilised embankment is again mentioned.

“We are emailing you with an update on the York Road stabilisation works.

The first phase of the long-term repairs to part of the New Cut river wall alongside York Road, which began in December 2024, has been completed and the road closure is set to switch so we can begin work on the long-term repairs to the other side of the river wall.

This means from Sunday 6 April a section of York Road will need to close between St Luke’s Road towards Bath Bridges roundabout until June.

There will also be a lane closure on York Road between Spring Street and St Luke’s Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained using temporary traffic signals. 

The signposted diversion for motorised traffic will take drivers either down Clarence Road towards Bedminster Bridges roundabout, then onto York Road, or along Redcliffe Way, around Redcliffe roundabout and then down Redcliff Hill, around Bedminster Bridges roundabout, then onto York Road. Please find an attached map that sets out the suggested diversion routes, which you are welcome to share.

Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained. Motorcycles must use the on-road diversion.

Access to Shell Garage will be maintained. Anyone wishing to visit the businesses on Mead Street will need to follow the signposted diversion and turn into Mead Street from St Luke’s Road.

The permanent repairs to the river wall include:

• • installing a sheet-piled retaining wall at the top of the bank to stabilise York Road
  • building a concrete piled wall behind the existing river wall
  • planting trees and vegetation along the stabilised embankment

This stage of the project is expected to be completed in June, depending on the weather and other external factors.

Once the repairs have been completed the next phase of the works will begin. In a change to the original plan, this will now see York Road changing to be one-way, travelling from Bath Bridges roundabout towards Bedminster Bridges roundabout. This plan has been updated in preparation for refurbishment work starting on Bath Bridges roundabout, which will see some lane closures. This refurbishment work is also expected to start in June 2025.

Thank you all again for your patience as we work to safeguard York Road and the river wall for future generations.

To keep up to date with the programme, visit www.bristol.gov.uk/newcutriverwalls.”