Better dressed streets
We are pleased to say that various roads in our local area are to get the surface treatment. Exeter Buildings and Burlington Road will receive a surface dressing, a preventative maintenance treatment that seals the road surface and extends the life of the carriageway. This helps prevent water getting in and further deterioration.
These works are expected to take place between April and September The exact start dates will depend on the contractor’s availability and weather conditions.
Update: Whiteladies Road works
The project to prevent flooding and improve active travel routes on Whiteladies Road is now expected to be complete in the spring.
Construction work on the lower part of Whiteladies Road has started again after onsite investigations into drainage issues. These issues mean the project will take a little longer.
To allow the work to take place safely, Whiteladies Road is closed to northbound traffic between its junctions with Tyndalls Park Road/St Pauls Road and Queens Road.
The northbound diversion is back in place, directing traffic via Queens Road, St Pauls Road and left onto Whiteladies Road.
The diversion to access properties on the western side of Whiteladies Road is via Queens Road, Pembroke Road, Oakfield Road, and right onto Whiteladies Road.
Access is still being maintained for pedestrians and cyclists who should follow instructions. There will need to be an overnight road closure towards the end of the project for road resurfacing.
Work got under way in July 2025 and has so far included installing a new cycle path, adding new drainage, and repaving the pavement on the west side of the road, between Whiteladies Road’s junctions with Queens Road and St Pauls Road.
Remaining work on the east side of the road, between Whiteladies Road’s junctions with Queens Road and Tyndalls Park Road, includes:
• Adding a separated cycle path with a black tarmac surface at the same height as the pavement
• Adding ‘beany block kerbs’ that combine the roadside kerbs with a built-in drainage system
• Raising the driveways of six private properties using like-for-like materials
• Repaving the pavement and increasing its height, to reduce the impact of the tree roots
• Adding rubber crumb around the trees
This project is being funded using the highways maintenance block allocation from the UK government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Help on the High Street
These are tough times for high streets businesses, so we are delighted that the Vacant Commercial Property Grant scheme has reopened. Grants from £2,500 up to £10,000 are available to help businesses start trading from a vacant commercial property on one of Bristol’s 46 designated high streets, including our very own Whiteladies Road, and the designated city centre.
The grant helps reduce the number of empty commercial properties across Bristol’s city centre and local high streets. This scheme forms part of the council’s City Centre and High Streets Renewal Programme.
Most organisation types can apply, including limited businesses, sole traders, charities, CICs, voluntary organisations, and arts and culture groups. The grant can be used to pay for capital expenditure including structural or physical works to the premises or equipment a business needs in order to trade.
You can find out more on the council’s vacant commercial property grant scheme webpage. The page includes guidance notes, the application form, and case studies of some of the successful applicants who have received this funding.
Councillor surgeries
We hold regular surgeries on the first Friday of the month from midday to 1:30 at Redland Library on Whiteladies Road. Come and speak to us about any local issues.
Serena Ralston: cllr.serena.ralston@bristol.gov.uk
xGeorge Calascione: cllr.george.calascione@bristol.gov.uk