While London’s mayor Boris Johnson dithers, Bristol’s mayor is pressing ahead with the construction of a new ‘Dutch-style’ cycleway in Bristol.

George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol and a founder of Sustrans, says that the Clarence Road track will be the first of many. “This scheme is exactly what we are going to see more of in Bristol as cycling and walking routes are improved so that anyone aged eight to 80 can feel that they have an option to travel in this way.”

Work starts next Monday (10 March) on the 700-metre long track, which follows the River Avon in Redcliffe. It will form the first part of the Avon Promenade, a continuous, traffic-free, waterside route from Keynsham to Hotwells.

Among the features are specially designed ‘Toby’ bollards to segregate the 3m-wide two-way track. Parking meters will be removed and a pedestrian crossing replaced to make way for the route.

George Ferguson explained the inspiration behind it. “I’ve seen this sort of cycle track used successfully in the Netherlands and in Copenhagen, this year’s European Green Capital and separation really works where roads are busy and we can find the room.”

Work is anticipated to be finished by the summer. Further work to improve the junctions at either end will continue over the next few years.