The long awaited additional junction on the M4 and a link road to Emersons Green could be among winning schemes following Bristol, South Gloucestershire and BANES decision to back the Government’s Devolution deal.
That’s according to Paul Williams, head of agency at Bruton Knowles’ Bristol office, which has backed calls for the new J18a link in order to ease traffic congestion for residents and increase connectivity for business users and the Science Park.
He said: “Current indications are that the Government might look more favourably on the new junction and link road following the three local councils’ decision to back the Government Devolution deal.
“This is an infrastructure package that business leaders across the region have been calling for in order to add an extra junction off the M4 – rather than continuing to the M32 and then turning off onto the Ring Road – both of which are heavily congested especially during the rush hour.
“We believe the new motorway junction would be taking a major step forward in reducing congestion across the north and east of the city and we will continue to support this proposal in conjunction with the MetroBus and other current initiatives.
Paul believes plans to establish the Bristol and Bath Science Park as an international business and research hub could be compromised by poor transport connections.
He said: “Bristol has a world-class facility in the form of the Bristol and Bath Science Park but it could struggle to fulfil its true potential if the infrastructure issues aren’t resolved.
“The science park is playing a key role in Bristol’s future as a hub for advanced technologies – but the transport network has yet to catch up with it.
“Creating a new junction on to the M4 motorway could be a game changer in terms of moving the park up the pecking order when it is being considered by potential occupiers.”
The scheme to relieve pressure on the existing M4 junction at Hambrook was first considered 30 years ago – and rejected in favour of increased concentration on public transport.
