Gipsy Patch Lane in Stoke Gifford has finally reopened to two-way traffic after years of restrictions, but work along the route is far from over. South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed to BristolLive that construction for the Cribbs Patchway Metrobus Extension (CPME) will continue into September, with essential works to cause more road closures.
The key route, which links Bristol Parkway with Cribbs Causeway, has been subject to full and partial closures since 2020, with residents and local businesses taking the brunt. Works have included the replacement of the old railway bridge, and the widening of paths and bus lanes as part of the CPME, designed to help reduce congestion and improve journey times in the area.
As of April 25, vehicles can now pass along the full length of Gipsy Patch Lane in both directions – westbound towards the A38 Gloucester Road, and eastbound towards Little Stoke, Stoke Gifford and Bradley Stoke. All side road junctions, including Titan Road, have also reopened to traffic.
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Road widening work continues to be carried out west of the railway bridge (Rolls-Royce side), and to enable this work narrow lanes are in place along this stretch of the carriageway. After the road widening, resurfacing works will be carried out over the summer, with some road closures as a result of work on the railway embankment, the council has confirmed.
A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "The main construction work for the Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension (CPME) is due to complete in September this year. Other work, such as the installation of iPoints and bus shelters and landscaping will be completed by the end of the year which may require minor, ad-hoc traffic management.
"Further resurfacing will be needed along Gipsy Patch Lane west of the railway (Rolls Royce side) once the road widening works are completed on this side. Resurfacing will also take place along Gipsy Patch Lane between the Little Stoke Lane junction and the Hatchet Road roundabout (both sides of the carriageway). These works are due to take place over the summer and we will notify the community when details and exact dates are confirmed.
"The junction for Station Road may also need to be closed again to traffic in the coming months to enable Network Rail to carry out work on the railway embankment. We will update the community when Network Rail confirm when this work will take place and the traffic management they need to carry out this work."
The council says the work at Gipsy Patch Lane has included improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities as part of the CPME. The £57m scheme is said to "provide a new quick, reliable public transport system between Bristol Parkway Station and the Mall at Cribbs Causeway," offering a "realistic alternative" to travelling by car.
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