cumberland piazza design & access statement

Improvements to

Cumberland Piazza Hotwells, Bristol

Design & Access Statement

Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association

July 2012

Cumberland Piazza improvement—Design and Access Statement page 2

Design & Access Statement

1. Introduction 3 2. Description of the site 4 3. The Cumberland Basin road scheme 5 4. Original design aims 6 5. Views 8 6. Proposals 9 7. Long-term Masterplan aspirations 12 8. Access 13 9. Lighting and Public Safety 15

10. Pollution 15 11. Conclusion 15


1. Introduction Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association, is submitting a proposal for improvements to

the open space surrounding the north side of the Cumberland Basin Flyover, originally named

‘Cumberland Piazza’ when it was created in 1964. This statement has been prepared to support

our planning application for the first phase of this project which is limited to landscape

changes and involves no new structures or changes to level. The full scheme is outlined in the

document ‘Improvements to Cumberland Piazza Hotwells—Masterplan Proposals, Hotwells & Cliftonwood C.A. July 2012. The proposals presented in the phase I application respond to a series of consultation initia-

tives involving people living in Hotwells and Cliftonwood as well as local amenity groups. They

also take note of three key strategic policy documents published recently by Bristol City Coun-

cil:

the Core Strategy identifies the Cumberland Basin as a regeneration area where

‘continued improvement will be promoted’ (Policy BCS2).

The City Docks Conservation Area character Appraisal states

‘the now mature trees and green spaces providing a soft edge to an otherwise entirely urban environment… this open space is under-appreciated in the wider city context but which is a major asset to the Conservation Area’ (7.1.1d).

The Public Realm and Movement Framework describes the area as the ‘Cumberland Basin gateway’ and the need to ‘Create a softer landscape with more opportunity for community rec-reation and biodiversity’ (page 33).

Cumberland Piazza is the largest public open space in Hotwells in an area lacking in recrea-

tional facilities. The proposal recognises that this space also has significance beyond the needs

of the immediate community.

• It has a role in the interpretation of the Floating Harbour and Entrance Locks as an impor-

tant heritage site with the potential to attract more visitors to the area.

• It is part of an increasingly busy hub for cycling and walking.

• It marks an entrance to the City which currently presents a poor impression for the many

visitors approaching the City from Avon Gorge and Ashton Gate.

Our aim is to achieve progressive improve-

ments which will create a revitalised and

stimulating new public amenity space, with

benefits for local people and the many oth-

ers who have contact with the Piazza.

We have also produced an analysis of the

Heritage significance of the site and how it

might be affected by the proposed changes

(Improvements to Cumberland Piazza Hot-wells—Heritage Statement, Hotwells & Cliftonwood C.A. July 2012).

south side of Piazza looking W. towards Portway


2. Description of the site This proposal is concerned with the area of approximately 3 hectares to the North of the En-

trance Lock to the Floating Harbour which is part of Hotwells and owned by Bristol City Council.

The site is bounded by roads on all sides; Hotwell Road to the North. Dowry Place / Oldfield

Place to the North East. Cumberland Basin Road to the South.

The dominant visual features at the Piazza are 4 elevated roads and approach ramps, Cabot

Way, Bennett Way, Bristol Gate and Hum-

phry Davy Way which are the reason the site

exists. It is bisected North-South by Faraday

Road. The close proximity of these roads,

with the predominantly hard paving and tar-

mac covering the central part of the site give

a very severe aspect to the landscape al-

though there are a number of mature trees

and shrubs at the edges of Piazza and an

area of grass to the South East.

Dense, mainly Victorian era terrace housing

overlooks the site to the N. and N.E. The En-

trance Locks to the Floating Harbour and

Cumberland Basin form the southern

boundary.

North side of Piazza looking E. towards Hotwell Rd


3. The Cumberland Basin road scheme This area, dubbed ‘Cumberland Piazza’ by landscape designer Sylvia Crowe is only a small part

of a major landscaping scheme that extended south to Ashton Gate, with the broad aim of miti-

gating the impact of the new Cumberland Basin road crossing and approaches which was

opened in 1965 (the development is described in more detail in the Heritage Statement pro-

duced to support this application). To build the Piazza, a large number of houses and commer-

cial buildings had to be demolished causing substantial degradation to the urban fabric of Hot-

wells and a legacy which subjects the neighbourhood to additional traffic, air pollution and loss

of quality of life for the inhabitants to this day.

Aerial view showing extent of the whole 1964 road scheme in relationship to Cumberland Piazza


4. Original design aims The original design for the site by landscape designer Sylvia Crowe was an ambitious attempt

to provide an enduring recreational facility for the neighbourhood (see plan p7 overleaf). It

was developed as a park and, for a while, maintained as a park by Bristol City Council .

However it gradually deteriorated for various reasons:

• The site was surrounded by a busy road system and the hard landscaping lacked the am-

bience of a traditional park making visitors reluctant to linger.

• Crowe’s proposed main access point by bridge across Hotwell Road was never realised

and the traffic lights that created a safe alternative crossing point were not installed until

the 1980s making the site inconvenient to reach.

• The effects (especially on children) of lead pollution from vehicles became a highly-

publicised factor in the 1980s that made parents reluctant to use the play facilities.

• The parks elaborate pool and fountain, café and play equipment proved a high-

maintenance solution that BCC became reluctant to maintain as usage of the facilities

declined.

• The site was very open to vandalism and incursions from travellers which led to much of

the park furniture being destroyed.

• When the park was opened, commercial shipping was still using the Floating Harbour and

the regular passage of large vessels through the Entrance Lock provided a regular specta-

cle that is now a rare event.

It is unclear exactly when the space ceased to be managed as a

park by the Council but local people gradually became resigned to

the space becoming part of the road network rather than the

amenity for them that that was intended. Any restoration and up-

grading of the site needs to have community engagement at its

heart and to respond to the needs of current users or it will also fail

to function as a working public space.

A consultation process, initiated by Hotwells & Cliftonwood Com-

munity Association in 2010 has led to a new scheme. This and de-

tails of the consultation process led by HCCA are described in our

Masterplan Proposal.

Piazza fountain in 1960s similar view in 2010


Landscape Plan for Cumberland Piazza prepared by Sylvia Crowe in 1964


5. Views The site has a natural focus, southwards to-

wards the Entrance Locks and the view to-

wards Rownham Hill and Ashton Court (A in

aerial view below). This was reflected in the

original design by the slope of the land, the

converging coloured lines (‘dragon’s teeth’) in

the paving and the arrangement of public

seats. The Entrance Locks probably have

more interest now as heritage structures

than the hub of a busy commercial port. Inter-

pretation panels might replace some of the

seating which has been largely destroyed.

In the 1960s there would have been another

view West towards the Avon Gorge and the

suspension bridge (B). This has been largely lost over the years by tree growth and the con-

struction of a footbridge at the western end.

view A from Piazza south to Entrance Lock in 2010

A

B

Cumberland Piazza viewpoints

view B from Piazza to Clifton Suspension Bridge


6. Proposals

Summary Consultation with the local community indicated that creating more of a green space and

‘park-like’ ambience for the site was nearly twice as popular as any other single improvement

idea. We have therefore tried to extend and adapt the original planting scheme and maximise

the use and re-use of existing structures both out of respect for the original design concepts of

Sylvia Crowe and to minimise the work needed to adapt the space to current needs.

The initial planning application therefore deals with this limited aspiration for a change of use.

Further phases of the project to introduce other elements involving some new structures are

detailed in the Masterplan Proposal and will be the subject of additional planning applications

as and when they can be implemented.

The new landscape plan retains virtually all the existing trees and structures from the 1964 de-

sign, other than a portion of the paving, which will be replaced with grass and planting, in re-

sponse to the desire of consultees to create more of a ‘green space’ feel to the site. The aim has

been, as far as possible, to re-use redundant structures like the base of the café , the play-

ground railing and the fountain, both to retain the heritage connection with the original de-

sign and minimise the cost of changes and ongoing maintenance. The impact of this design is

covered more fully in the Heritage Statement’.


Landscape plan Description

This section is intended to be read in conjunction with Drawing 2393_200.

Zone A - North Side

This section is intended to be read in conjunction with Drawing 2393_200 and the Planting Schedule presented at Appendix B.

To the north of the site two focal shrub beds are proposed (B3 and B4). These wrap around a

small lobby-like entrance space. This will form one of the main pedestrian and cyclist access points to the site. The northern edge of bed B3 will comprise a privet hedge to screen Hotwell Road from the entrance space.

In the main, largely featureless, open space between Cabot Way, Bristol Gate and Bennett Way flyovers there will be an informal copse of 14 hornbeam trees in hard tree pits. Drawing 2393_400 refers. This ‘urban woodland’ is intended to break up and soften the space giving it a

more comfortable, less exposed feel. Over time, these trees will grow to provide a canopy, which will be enjoyed from within the site, but also from above by passing motorists using the elevated roads. The large Indian bean tree will be retained as a prominent attractive feature.

The broken and unkempt surface underneath it will be removed and replaced by an area of grass and bulb planting.

The existing fountain which has long since been filled in and grassed over, now contains two

mature trees. This area will be retained and maintained as lawn. The edging to the bed will be retained and cleaned so people can sit and enjoy the space.

The main cycle routes through the space will be simply marked in white lining. These form part

of the sustrans Traffic free cycle network and directly link to the Portway Cycle Path traffic free route.

Zone B - South Side

To the south of the site the aim is to make as much of the area

green so that the site starts to feel more like a park than highways land. The tarmac footway to the south of the site, along Cumberland Basin Road, is rarely if ever used, and will be grassed to soften the space. A larger area of grass at the centre of the southern space will provide passive

recreation opportunities. Swathes of bulbs will be planted in the grass to break up the space. 7 new Scots pines throughout this area will offer further structure to the space. Drawing 2393_401 shows the soft tree pit details all but one of these trees are to be planted in. The new

trees in this area have been positioned so as to retain the expansive views to the south from the seating area beside the restored rotunda.

The existing cycle path runs through the proposed grass area and will take the form of a flush

asphalt path. Where cycle paths cross the existing hard surfaces, they will be marked in white


lining. To make sure there is no unwanted vehicle access onto the site the relocated boulders along the edge of the site will be replaced with redundant dock fittings (if available). If the

mooring bollards or other dock fittings are not available, the existing boulders will be re-used.

An attractive patch of moss and grasses (B5) has naturalised under the group of four existing Norway maple trees to the south east. An edge treatment of setts around this will define the

moss area and make it a feature as opposed to just neglected hard standing. Retaining and augmenting the boulders and deadwood in this area will provide improved microclimates and enhance the area’s habitat value. The addition of bulbs, grasses and ferns into existing and new

crevices will improve the species diversity and visual appeal of this patch. Lifting a few paving slabs or lumps of broken asphalt and filling these with a layer of nutrient-rich compost or ma-nure will create niches for plants. Small drifts of topsoil against boulders and deadwood can

also be used for planting. This is an opportunity to re use the compost from the existing ton bags on the site. See SK001 in Appendix E. The two existing benches in this area are in poor condition, are under-used and will be removed.

The existing railings, part of the old play area, will be lined with 2 new shrub beds, A2 and B2 providing a physical and visual barrier between the recreation area and the road. A2 will com-prise a hedge of Photinia ‘Red Robin’ with a boarder of lavender and B2 a bed of Stipa tenuis-sima. The play area will have relocated boulders which wrap round in a spiral curve which lead your eye to a key accent pine tree which provides a feature alongside proposed seating with views out towards the entrance locks and Dundry Hill in the distance. The rotunda and the spi-

ral of boulders will offer informal play opportunities and allow flexibility for future play devel-opment in this area.

To the north west of the space the existing shrub bed A1 will be enhanced to give more struc-

ture to the edge of the space. The old vehicular access point to this space will be stopped up and planted to form a shrub bed (B1)

Adjacent to the seating area (see Appendix D for the proposed bench) the existing café ro-

tunda is to be restored to make it safe and more attractive. It will be used for seating and play in the short term, but is to be used as an art/sculpture plinth to form a key focal point to the space in the long term.

To the east and west of Bristol Gate, the existing shrub beds and grassed areas are to be en-hanced. To the east, shrub bed A3 will be enhanced with further shrub planting, but retaining a mown grass boarder. Bed R1 at the junction of Faraday way and Bristol Gate will be retained

and maintained as it currently is. Further east beside Faraday Way, shrub bed A4 is to be re-planted with lavender and lambs ear (Stachys lanata)

The other shrub and grassed Islands beside Faraday Road (beds R1-R5) will be retained and en-

hanced with improved maintenance and bulb planting introduced to R2. The verges of R2 and R3 will be reinstated. As part of the long term masterplan, traffic control measures could be in-troduced here to restrict parking to one side of the road.

The existing linear drain, mirroring the north edge of Bennett Way, was designed to drain the northern part of the site, but is completely blocked and all the gratings have been removed. The intention is to clear and re-cover this drain to reinstate its function.

An indicative maintenance cost table for this Phase 1 scheme has been prepared using Bristol City Council’s current rates and is presented at Appendix A.


7. Long-term Masterplan aspirations

The Long Term Masterplan, Drawing 2393_100, does not form part of this application, but has

been provided to put the application landscape scheme into its potential future context.

It is hoped that a large part of the site shown hatched, underneath where the flyovers of Bristol Gate, Cabot Way and Humphrey Davey Way converge, could accommodate an ‘urban play-

ground’ for older children comprising a wheels park and ball games / kick about area. The kick about area would need to be fully enclosed by fencing to avoid conflict with the nearby roads. Minor adjustments to levels and surfacing would also need to be considered as part of these

plans. New lighting would also likely form part of these plans.

A long-term aspiration for the historic fountain area is to provide a sculpture of reclaimed lock gates incorporating heritage interpretation boards. This will be a large sculptural feature and

could be set in a feature surface designed to echo the historic fountain from Sylvia Crowe’s scheme.

A long term public art strategy should be developed for the space and agreed with Bristol City

Council’s Public Art Officer. Examples of public art opportunities include murals on existing walls, pillars painted and lit and sculptures introduced.

The Long Term Masterplan shows how the existing pillars could be painted in a series of bold

colours to give a striking emphasis to the prominent vertical structures. Mural art works, graffiti and sculptural pieces could be commissioned to develop an artistic or historical theme.

The main elements to the east of the site are future proposals which include a kick about space

and a skate park. There are two existing shrubs beds, one of which lies at the base of Bristol Gate and the other slightly further to the north near the pedestrian crossings. The proposal is to enhance the planting here to detract from the dominance of the overhead infrastructure and

give ground cover to the existing grassed beds.

To the eastern edge of this part of the site a lay-by is proposed for site access. This could be the location of a vehicular access point to the site in the long term. Shrub bed A4 would have to be

removed and boulders relocated to make space for the lay-by.

The existing subway under Faraday Road is to be cleaned and maintained to keep this access open to the public. It is dangerous and unsightly in its current condition. An alternative option

for the long term, if this subway is no longer required, is to stop it up and infill it with spoil / rubble from this and other nearby sites. Strategy to be agreed with Bristol City Council.


8. Access

Improvements to the site will increase visits to use the facilities provided by the Piazza itself but

there are existing patterns of movement through the space to reach other places. It lies in the

centre of a busy and confusing traffic layout and an aim of any development should be to im-

prove the clarity of the most popular and safe existing routes to and across the space.

The main access points to the site are:

A. From Hotwell Road and Dowry Place on the North East corner where there is a light-

controlled crossing . The nearest bus stop is 50m away near Dowry Square. There is a

public car park in Oldfield Place also about 50m from this entrance.

B. From a footbridge in Granby Hill crossing to Cumberland Basin Road at the West end of

the site. This route seems little used but is a traffic-free access point.

C. A pedestrian underpass beneath Faraday Road, with a ramp from the Oldfield Place car

park gives traffic-free access to the East side of the site, of use mainly to residents of the

Hotwells ‘island’ streets (Oldfield Rd/Place, Sandford Road, Charles Place, Merchants

Road).

D. An informal crossing with drop-kerb from the south side near the Plimsoll Bridge has

been added recently.

E. A further drop kerb to the west of the Plimsoll Bridge is at the end of an existing marked

N-S cycle route across the site.

Improvements to pedestrian/ cycle movement Since the Piazza was built the site’s importance as a key hub for nearby traffic-free cycling /

pedestrian routes has increased. These routes include:

• Sustrans National route 41 to Gloucester via the Portway

• To Pill and Portishead along the S. bank of the Avon

• the Sustrans ‘Connect2’ route to N. Somerset

• The ‘chocolate block path’ along the New Cut

• The Harbourside Walkway into central Bristol

• To Bedminster and Southville via Ashton swing bridge

A B

C

D

Cumberland Piazza access points

E


The intention is to create a clearer entrance point to the site at the Hotwell Road traffic lights on

the north side. A circular paved threshold might contain new information boards or signage

(included in phase II application). There is already a railing along most of the northern bound-

ary but additional planting will emphasise the importance of the defined (and safest) ‘gateway’.

If the project to restore the Brunel Swivel Bridge to full working order is successful, the impor-

tance of the North-South route across the

site will increase, as the only traffic-free

crossing of the Harbour. Failing that, use of

the Entrance Lock gate platforms as a less-

desirable alternative is likely to continue.

Signage for all these routes needs to be

improved and clearly marked paths across

the site will be created in phase II.

The informal crossing point of Cumberland

Basin Road to the East of Plimsoll Bridge

(D1 on diagram) has good visibility but is

badly placed for an approach to the Swivel

Bridge. A light-controlled crossing is de-

sirable in-line with the Swivel Bridge (D2)

at what will be the logical and quickest

route but which has views of approaching

traffic obscured by pillars.

Cumberland Basin Traffic free cycle/walking routes

to LongAshton & Back-well, Bedminster and Southville via Ashton Swing bridge

to Pill & Portishead via Avon Towpath

to Avonmouth & Gloucester via Portway

to City Centre via Harbourside path

to City Centre & Bedmin-ster via New Cut

D1

D2


9. Lighting and Public Safety The Avon & Somerset Constabulary crime preventon design advisor has been consulted about

the application but no formal response has been passed on to the design team.

The night time illumination level is generally high and even because of the existing street light-

ing which covers all the network of roads that crsiss-cross the site. There are no plans to en-

hance the lighting as part of the phase I landscape proposals, however , if the site is used more

intensively, there is a case for introducing more lighting under some of the flyover ramps, es-

pecially those in zone C as part of a future application for installation of the wheels park and

ball games area. More lighting here would also improve visibility for users of the bike path

leading to the Cumberland Road crossing point.

Additional tree-planting will create more shadowed areas at night, especially in zone A but the

species selected should have a high canopy and it is felt that the proposed density will not

pose an additional risk to public safety.

10. Pollution Damage to health from lead in petrol probably influenced public attitudes to use of the site in

the 1980s and may have influenced the proposal to create a childrens’ playground ther in the

1960s, had the scientific evidence been appreciated at that time. Tetraethyl lead additives

were finally banned in all EU states in 2000.

Steve Crawshaw of BCC Air Environment/ pollution Team was consulted about the current

status of the site in 2011. The site is located within an air quality management area where lev-

els of Nitrogen Dioxide are monitored. Whilst the levels are high adjacent to the road, they drop

off 20m back from the pavement. There are no concerns or objections for the site to be used

by the community and it is felt to be safe for people to use the area for leisure activities . Mr

Crawshaw explained that the benefits of physical activity outweighed any dangers from the

pollution over a short period of time.

11. Conclusion The phase I application proposals outlined here provide a practical foundation for improving a

site which otherwise seems condemned to relentless deterioration.

• They are consistent with an overall vision for the space as described in our Masterplan.

• They fulfil some of the City’s own strategic planning priorities for the area.

• They are sympathetic to the surviving features of the original landscape design by Sylvia

Crowe.

• They will begin to create a functional public amenity space to conform with the aspira-

tions of the original design but in a way that more nearly meets the needs of the current

generation of users.

• They will significantly improve the attractiveness of this gateway into the City and en-

courage more visitors to explore this historic area.

• The y will, at relatively modest cost, demonstrate that change is possible and start to en-

gage local people in adopting and supporting the space as a neighbourhood resource.

cumberland piazza design & access statement

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