Plans for a new footbridge to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to enter and leave the Bristol Arena site have been submitted.
The bridge will link to Albert Road, which will be used as a taxi and coach pick-up and drop-off point for visitors to the 12,000 capacity venue, which is due to open in 2018. 
According to Bristol City Council, the bridge will complement the arena design and form a natural extension to the public plaza in front of the arena and providing easy access.
The only on-site parking at the Arena will be for staff, VIPs and disabled people and event-goers will be encouraged to use public transport or park-and-ride links.
A public consultation last year raised concerns around access to the arena site, the quality of pedestrian and cycle routes particularly from the south, traffic congestion and parking on residential streets.
As a result park-and-ride services will be introduced for events of over 9,000 capacity instead of 10,000 previously proposed and additional ‘shuttle’ trains will run between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway station for the largest 12,000 capacity events to reduce the number of cars driving into the city. Cycle parking will also be increased from 200 to just over 250 spaces.
Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said: “This elegantly engineered new pedestrian bridge will mark yet another significant step towards the development of the new Bristol Arena and the Arena Island development. 
“It follows the recently submitted arena application which should be considered by the planning committee in early March. The new bridge strengthens the connectivity of Arena Island with the wider Enterprise Zone and will create an important new route onto and through the site.
“The area adjacent to the arena will be totally revitalised, becoming a vibrant new commercial and cultural quarter for the city. I am greatly looking forward to crossing that bridge.”
The St Philips Footbridge is one of a number of projects planned for the area to improve access for cyclists and pedestrians. Work has started on creating a two-way segregated cycle path and a wider footpath on Cattle Market Road alongside new public spaces and landscaped areas. A new floating harbour walkway will connect the ferry landing stage at Temple Quay with the arena site, passing under Brunel’s railway viaduct and into Totterdown Basin.
The footbridge has been specially designed to accommodate the height difference between the two riverbanks: its eastern end is forked, providing both a stepped access and a ramp leading to the main body of the bridge. The River Avon Path will also be upgraded as part of the works, ensuring that arena visitors using the bridge have a pleasant arrival experience. Integrated lighting will provide a safe and attractive route after dark, whilst reducing light spill into the surrounding areas.
Subject to detailed planning approval, construction of the bridge will take place between August this year and April 2017.
The main access route to Arena Island will be via the Homes and Communities Agency-funded bridge from Cattle Market Road to Arena Island.
