Major works to improve the Temple Circus junction have been extended due to unforeseen problems on the site.

The scheme is now due to be completed in autumn 2019 following a series of unexpected discoveries under the road - unrecorded electricity cables and water pipes as well as uncharted cellars under the roundabout and Victoria Street – all requiring major change to the planned programme. The installation of heat networks, vital to meeting the city’s carbon reduction targets, have also added an extra layer of complexity to the project, making progress slower than expected.

Cllr Mhairi Threlfall, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said: "Traffic around Temple Circus has always been a real problem and we’re working hard to make the area better for everyone. I’m sorry the works are taking longer than expected and we will continue to work closely with our contractors, Eurovia to do everything we can to deliver the rest of the programme as quickly as possible.

“Once completed, the new layout will improve the journeys of the millions of people who travel through Temple Gate every year. The scheme will also create new public spaces and give a much better first impression of Bristol for visitors arriving into Temple Meads, as well as delivering the first phase of our ambitious heat networks programme. I am grateful to everyone for bearing with us while we make these much needed improvements to our city

“On behalf of the council I sincerely apologise for this delay and the ongoing disruption.”

For the latest information about travelling through the area, please visit Travelwest and roadworks.org. More detail about the Temple Gate scheme is available at www.bristoltemplequarter.com/gate.

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