Western Harbour (Cumberland Basin)

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

I think a name involving the word "Creek" would be helpful.

Cumberland Road isn't the cut-through that it used to be, now that it is has been adapted for use by MetroBust and the airport express service. It was, of course. closed for a prolonged period after the collapse of part of the bank of the 220-year-old New Cut. The route had to be diverted via Coronation Road, which is itself now under threat of collapse. Serious work needs to be done on the New Cut from Bedminster Bridge to the edge of the docks before anything more is considered.

The Plimsoll Bridge has become part of  the Bristol furniture, and would be missed. I occasionally enjoy a stroll around those parts, which serve to remind us of Bristol's past as a trading port, and form something of a link between old and new. It is big and obvious, but it isn't easy to think what could replace it more subtly now, without damaging some of the historic setting. As has been said above, the traffic will have to go somewhere. Red Squirrel's plan to reorganise the failed motorway on Spike Island sounds a winner to me, and could lead to there being land for building there, rather than on the edges of the harbour. With housing, there is also the tricky matter of flooding to consider, something we are told will get worse with time.

This is one case where doing nothing for now may not be a bad idea. Marvin could well be into his last couple of months in office, and the new incumbent may have better plans - or none.