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Transforming theFrome Greenway
An upgraded cycle and pedestrian corridor
improving usage and environmental quality SUMMARY 
This document outlines a range of measuresthat are intended to support a shift away fromvehicle use, thereby improving air-quality inthe area. The main features relate toincreasing connectivity and vegetation alongthe route. These measures sit alongside anair-quality monitoring scheme, togetherforming a significant part of the Cabot Circusair quality mitigation strategy.
Timeframe: March 2010-March 2011
AIMS
Improvement of a non-highway transport route.Providing for increased cycling and walkingjourneys (and associated reduction in short cartrips) by connecting localities - shopping/ commercial centres, schools, etc.Improved connection between parks (RiversidePark, Fox Park, Eastville Park); linking the mainpublic open spaces in the area and creatingconditions that will encourage cycling and walking,as well as use of local parks for physical activityand recreation.Additional tree-planting, orchard and
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greenscreens
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or
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living structure
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features. Contributingto overall environmental and visual improvementand air quality/ noise benefits.Provide a model for transforming the city
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sGreenway + River Corridor network (GreenInfrastructure), and supporting Bristol
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s city-wideCycling City project.
“A Greenway is a route apart from the main trafficked roads,for use by pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and others. A Greenway can consist of lightly trafficked roads and traffic-calmed streets and public spaces. Wherever possible, planting schemes are implemented to ensure that the ambience of a traffic-free section is maintained. AGreenway will have numerous links to connect its main route with local places and communities, and it may follow separate strands for walking and cycling” 
SUSTRANS, 2008 
 
The Frome Greenway Transformation
“By encouraging the use of non-motorised means of transport, such as cycling and walking, as a means of reducing local emissions of pollutants, measures in air-quality plans can directly improve the health and fitness of local populations. In turn, this may also help individuals to be more resilient to direct ill-effects from air pollution” 
Local Air Quality Management PG09 DEFRA, Feb 2009
“No single measure is going to solve the air pollution problem. It will require a package of complementary measures and a contribution from everyone - the public, businesses, stakeholders and the Council.
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Air Quality Action Plan for Bristol, 2004
CONTEXT:
The
Frome Greenway Transformation
is an ambitious project which sets out a visionfor this important transport corridor, and includes an integrated series of enhancements. It is to berolled out as part of the Cycling City Project, and is intended to be primarily funded from s106contributions from the Cabot Circus development, under an air quality provision. The centralobjective is to greatly increase the usage of the route by cyclists and pedestrians, whilst achievinga shift away from vehicle use, and associated air-quality improvement. The approach taken is tofocus on encouraging behaviour change through the provision of a well marked, continuous routethat has the following attributes: environmental enhancement; distinct identity; high qualitydesigned features; good linkages along (and into) the corridor; improved ecology, amenities, andsafety. The project presents a unique opportunity to contribute towards making Bristol a better,greener, more livable place.The Air Quality Action Plan for Bristol (2004) includes the following elements:
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Reduction in short car trips: Encourage use of alternative modes, reduction in car mileage,encourage behaviour change, awareness raising. Reduction in short car trips could have asignificant effect on congestion and emissions. Encourage car-less shopping trips. Apart from airquality, the benefits are: reduced congestion; reduced CO2, improved travel options, improvedhealth, increased social interaction, potential financial savings and potential boost to localbusinesses.
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Walking & Cycling: Encourage more walking and cycling trips - a zero emission mode that couldreplace many short car trips, reducing congestion and emissions. Benefits: (as above)
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Provide and encourage the use of alternatives to the car e.g. Safer Routes to Schools; measuresto reduce the number of short car journeys. Even a relatively small reduction in traffic would leadto significant decreases in congestion and pollution.
AN IMPORTANT LINKING PATHWAY:
The cycling/walking catchments extend from central areas right out to the city
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s northern fringe,and into South Gloucestershire. The route has enormous potential, but is in need of substantialupgrading to improve appearance and increase usage. Enhancing the sense of safety is important.The geographical extent of the
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project runs from River Street (on the northern edge of the CabotCircus shopping complex) to Stapleton Rd/Eastville Park, and lies entirely within the valley of theRiver Frome. The Greenway has the potential to be a well-used link route from Cabot Circus to thelocal centres of Eastville/Stapleton Rd/St Marks Rd. It is therefore important because of itsstrategic location, linking the centre of Bristol to these areas, and beyond to the northern fringe ofthe city. Part of the Greenway route - the one-way section of Stapleton Rd - has been identified asa
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missing link
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in the Cycling City strategy, and forms a separate linked project.
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