South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed that Gipsy Patch Lane will reopen to two-way traffic at 6am on Monday 8th August 2022* and is asking drivers to be aware of a new signal-controlled junction on the route (see details below).
The road has been closed to traffic west of the railway bridge (the Rolls-Royce side) for two weeks to allow resurfacing work to take place.
The resurfacing is the final stage of the main construction work for the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) scheme. Other work, such as the installation of iPoints and bus shelters, and landscaping, will be completed by the end of the year.
It is anticipated that services on the newly named ‘M4’ MetroBus route will commence in “spring 2023”.
The project began in earnest on 5th March 2020 when Gipsy Patch Lane was fully closed at the railway bridge for an anticipated 8 months. However, numerous delays on the project, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, meant that it was September 2021 before the road under the bridge was finally reopened (at that time to one-way traffic only).
The need to redesign the drainage system under the bridge caused further delays, meaning it was April 2022 before two-way traffic was restored along the full length of the road.
* Editor’s note: It is possible that the road could reopen a day or two earlier, as happened on the first reopening to two-way traffic back in April.
New signal-controlled junction
When the road reopens. the junction between Titan Road, Gipsy Patch Lane and Rolls-Royce’s Gate 5 access (the latter previously being off a mini-roundabout) will become signal controlled.
Titan Road is is the first turning left off Gipsy Patch Lane after passing under the railway bridge when travelling towards the A38 Gloucester Road. It leads into the new Horizon 38 business park and provides access to a number of distribution warehouses.
Traffic signals at this staggered junction were a requirement of the Horizon 38 site’s planning permission and they have been installed by the council’s StreetCare team on behalf of the Horizon 38 landowner.
The changes to the junction are not part of the CPME scheme, but to minimise disruption the work has been carried out at the same time.
Changes to the junction have also included the removal of the mini-roundabout, and the introduction of new pedestrian and cyclist crossings to make it easier and safer to get around on foot and by bike.
Embankment work
Although the council says the final stage of the main construction work is now complete, it is likely that the junction of Gipsy Patch Lane and Station Road will need to be closed again to traffic in the coming months to enable Network Rail to carry out work to stabilise the railway embankment.
A council spokesperson said:
“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.”
More information and related links:
- Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (SGC)
- MetroBus Extension Build (SGJ)
- Photo albums (Google Photos):
Stoke Lane work postponed
A planned four-week closure of Stoke Lane, in nearby Stoke Lodge, that was due to start on Monday (8th August) has been postponed at short notice. The planned work involves installing additional traffic calming measures and signage for a new 20mph speed limit. A revised commencement date has not yet been announced.
More details: Council postpones four-week closure of Stoke Lane for traffic calming works (BSJ)
Gipsy Patch Lane reopened
UPDATE added 8th August 2022.
Gipsy Patch Lane was fully reopened as planned, with all lanes in use and the new staggered junction operational, on Monday 8th August 2022.
