On Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd the Olympic Torch passes through Bristol. As a result there will be a number roads affected and so getting into town for events here may become a little more difficult than usual, particularly on the Tuesday as there is a celebration event taking place at Millennium Square. Please allow extra time for your journey.
The days are planned as follows:
Tues 22 May
- Torch enters Bristol at 17:53 via Hanham on A431 and continues along A420 through Old Market
- Torch arrives by boat at the Amphitheatre at approx. 19:20
- An evening celebration will be hosted at the Amphitheatre and Millennium Square on 22nd May. The event is free but accessing the Amphitheatre requires tickets (ticket deadline now passed). This will be the stage area for the official LOCOG show supported by the main Olympic sponsors
- Millennium Square from 15:30 until 17:30 will stage performances from young musicians, athletes and choirs
- From 17:30 until 20:00 the official ticketed celebration evening takes place on the Amphitheatre stage which will be screened live to Millennium Square concluding with a special performance from Cirque Bijou and Desperate Men in front of M Shed
- From 20:00 to 22:00, music continues on the Millennium Stage featuring Quantic and Alice Russell, Beth Rowley and DJ Crust
Weds 23 May
- Torch leaves College Green at 05:50
- It will exit Bristol via Hotwells Road and enter North Somerset
- Torch re-enters Bristol via Clifton Suspension Bridge at 07:53, carries through to the Downs and exits Bristol via Southmead at 09:05
Traffic information
Tues 22 May
- No road closures. A420 through St George to Old Market will be busy but remain open
- A420 will have a traffic light green wave, meaning the main road in and out of Bristol will have all traffic lights on green to enable traffic to flow, but this will affect traffic on side roads wanting to join A420.
- Outbound traffic on A420 is expected to be slow as drivers observe the Torch
- Lawrence Hill roundabout – traffic will be held until Torch passes through
- Slips roads from Temple Way onto the Old Market roundabout will be held until Torch passes through
- There will be parking restrictions along this route with ‘no waiting’ cones in force. Police reserve the right to tow any vehicles parked in these areas but will move them to a nearby road
Weds 23 May
- Suspension Bridge closed from 06:00 and is expected to re-open at some point between 09:00 and 10:00
- Inbound traffic from North Somerset will be held from 07:50 until sponsors’ large vehicles exit the Cumberland Basin System. 20 minute delay expected at around 08:00
- Slip roads onto Brunel Way will be closed until the convoy passes through
- Traffic coming into Bristol from North Somerset is being advised to find an alternative route or travel later after the Torch passes through
- Alternative routes include the Portway or via M5 junction 17. These routes are expected to be extra busy as a result of traffic finding an alternative route
- Pedestrians and cyclists can use the Suspension Bridge, but there will be shuttle buses taking pedestrians/cyclists along the bridge
For full details visit bristol.gov.uk