Businesses have welcomed the approval of plans to build the long-delayed South Bristol Link Road, saying the move will deliver a major boost to the economy of the city’s ‘poor relation’.
Councillors on North Somerset’s planning committee last night gave the scheme the green light. However, it still has to be approved by Bristol City Council later this month.
Business West, the organisation that runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce, yesterday called for the project to go ahead, claiming it would trigger a much-needed regeneration of the south of the city and also benefit the city-wide economy.
International property agency Jones Lang LaSalle, which has a major office in Bristol, welcomed the committee’s decision.
The road, which will link the A370 near Long Ashton to the Cater Road roundabout in Hartcliffe, is desperately needed to boost south Bristol’s economy, the firm sad.
Bristol office head Jeremy Richards said businesses were put off moving to the area because of its inadequate infrastructure
“The South Bristol Link Road is the first major step in tackling some of the issues that South Bristol faces,” he said.
“The south of the city is viewed as the ‘poor relation’ of the north when it comes to business investment and that is largely because it doesn’t have the connectivity that businesses require. We have numerous examples of companies that have sited accessibility issues as a reason for not moving there.
“The link road gives us a chance to change all of this so tonight’s decision is crucial.
“The benefits will be felt right across Bristol and the region, helping to kickstart wider regeneration. New employment brings new development of all sorts – homes, shops, restaurants – so the positive impact of this decision should not be underestimated.”
