Extension for M1 bus route approved

Plans to extend the m1 metrobus route in south Bristol have been approved by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Almost £3.6 million will be invested by the authority to enable the bus route to be extended.

The approved work, led by Bristol City Council, will see six bus stops upgraded with new, high-quality shelters and real-time information displays.

At peak times, m1 buses come around every 10 minutes. The route currently travels between Cribbs Causeway and Hengrove Park via Patchway, Aztec West, Stoke Gifford, UWE Frenchay Campus, Broadmead, Bristol city centre, Bedminster, Inns Court, and Hengrove. The m1 would in future also serve William Jessop Way by Bridge Learning Campus, Hawkfield Road, and Imperial Retail Park.

The regional mayor, city council leader, and local MP have all backed these plans – and want to explore further extending the m1 route to connect even more people to one of the region’s most popular bus routes.

This investment will also deliver improvements for Hawkfield Road including a new two-way segregated cycleway and traffic calming measures like speed cushions and raised tables, up to Hartcliffe Way. The junction of Whitchurch Lane and William Jessop Way would see upgraded crossings as part of the project, with new or upgraded crossings proposed at the junctions of each of Briscoes Avenue, Butterfly Lane, and Fulford Road with Hawkfield Road too.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“This £4 million government-funded project, with the regional authority and local council working together, will ultimately mean that more people in south Bristol can access the popular m1 metrobuses. With new night buses and new green electric buses rolling out here in the West, together we’re beginning to build the bus network that people across our region deserve.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

"It's great news that we have secured the funding to extend the m1 service further into south Bristol. Hartcliffe residents will also benefit from a safer environment for walking, wheeling and cycling along Hawkfield Road, with a new separated cycle route and traffic calming measures. This is a good example of how we can use Bristol's proportion of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, working with the Mayoral Combined Authority, to improve sustainable transport links across Bristol."

Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said:

“I welcome the additional bus provision for my constituents with the extension of the m1 to Imperial Park. This announcement comes after the launch of the 36 bus and the extension of the 43 route this year. I look forward to seeing further service improvements across Bristol South.”

This funding is part of the UK government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for the West of England, secured by the combined authority. Section 106 funding from the council, committed from the Lake Shore, Imperial Park, and Hawkfield Road developments, will contribute a further £260,000 to support delivery of the overall scheme and bus services.

This announcement follows the launch of three new bus services and a string of extensions and service improvements for buses in south Bristol – funded by some of the region’s Bus Grant from the government and some of the city’s Clean Air Zone income. Hourly services between midnight and 6am on Fridays and Saturdays on the m1 and another nine bus services were introduced from 31 August.