Improvements to Cumberland Piazza Hotwells, Bristol

Masterplan Proposals

Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association July 2012

Masterplan Proposals
1. Introduction 2. Consultation 4. Existing site services 5. Lighting and Public Safety 6. Conclusion
Appendix A - Consultation Methodology Appendix B - Analysis of consultation responses

3 6 13 14 14 15 17

3. Description of the proposed development 7

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1. Introduction
The Cumberland Basin road scheme was developed in the early 1960s to overcome severe congestion at Ashton Swing Bridge across the New Cut and the road crossing of Cumberland Basin via Junction Lock swing bridge. This was at a time before the M5 Bridge was constructed at Avonmouth, so Cumberland Basin was the lowest bridging on the river for North/South through traffic. The development had a devastating effect on the community in Hotwells. Three entire streets of houses and businesses were obliterated to make way for the high level roads and approach ramps. The remaining space beneath the pillars of the road system was landscaped to form a piazza designed by Dame Sylvia Crowe to incorporate a childrens playground, fountain, public toilets and a caf. The significance of this development and the current state of the site has been assessed in a Heritage Statement (Improvements to Cumberland Piazza HotwellsHeritage Statement, Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association 2012).

Aerial view from South of Cumberland Piazza and adjacent Entrance Lock to the Floating Harbour

From development to dereliction As was usual with major developments at the time, local people had very little say in either the destruction of their homes or what should occupy the space left after the road scheme was completed. Initially, the only traffic-free access to Cumberland Piazza was via an underpass from Oldfield Place. The health risks to children from lead in petrol became apparent in later years. These factors, plus the generally unfriendly hard landscaping meant the space was not used much and lack of maintenance by the City Council led to a steady deterioration of the site. By 1980, the caf and toilets had been closed, the fountain filled-in and grassed over and the vandalised play equipment removed. The site was occupied by travellers on a number of occasions until large rocks were placed around the perimeter to prevent vehicles entering. Status of the site Although the Piazza part of the Cumberland Basin scheme was clearly built as a recreational area for the benefit of local people and passing motorists (see description in Sylvia Crowes proposal quoted in the Heritage Statement), at some point it ceased to be recognised as such by the owners, Bristol City Council. It is currently managed by the Highways Dept. on a minimal maintenance basis effectively a giant traffic island.

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Curiously, the adjacent working Entrance Lock and sides of Cumberland Basin; a somewhat hazardous environment, are classified as informal open space in the Citys Area Green Space Plan.

public open space in Hotwells area (based on BCC Area Green Space Plan). Cumberland Piazza currently has no green space designation.

Hotwells need for open space Apart from two very small play areas in Argyle Place and Charles Place, There is no formal public open space for the 4,500 people living in Hotwells and Cliftonwood. Brandon Hill adjoins the Eastern boundary of the ward but is 1.5 km from households near Cumberland Basin. Developing the space at Cumberland Piazza is the best option for providing better recreational facilities for this high-density city neighbourhood. Potential for community and economic development Hotwells is one of the most important heritage areas outside of central Bristol and the surviving evidence of the 18th century spa and 19th century industrial eras could be made a much more attractive draw for visitors. The area around the entrance locks and Hotwells is not well-interpreted for visitors at present. This includes the layout and history of the three lock chambers, Cumberland Basin and the story of the construction of the Floating Harbour, the Brunel Swivel Bridge, the views down river, the story of Hotwells as a spa and later Victorian working-class suburb and the Plimsoll Bridge and road system from the 60s. The site commands a viewpoint and is midway between the major tourist destinations of Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain with the historic Underfall Yard at the other end of Cumberland Basin. The Piazza would be the obvious place to tell some of these stories using artefacts, murals and information panels at the furthest point of a Harbourside walkway trail.

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The Harbourside walkway, and ferries currently terminate around Junction lock at the eastern end of Cumberland Basin. Making the Entrance Lock area more attractive, improving signage and interpretation of the locks and exploiting the vista of the Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge would draw more visitors into Hotwells and increase the custom for our existing pubs, restaurants and galleries.
activity in Entrance Lock adjacent to Piazza Creating a fitting gateway to Bristol The journey through the Avon Gorge along the Portway is one of the most spectacular routes into an English City. The view of the Clifton terraces from the southern approach to the Plimsoll Bridge is also a memorable introduction to Bristol. All this is currently marred by the dereliction of the piazza area where these two routes meet. Our aim is to develop a plan for the space that has regard not only for local needs but provides an impressive and welcoming impression for visitors using the roads and cycle paths that cross the site.

New uses in a changing world The increasing importance of the site as a hub for cycling and walking networks is a recent development. 5 strategic routes are discussed in more detail in a Design & Access Statement (Improvements to Cumberland Piazza HotwellsDesign & Access Statement, Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association 2012) Recent completion of a new cycle path along Cumberland Basin Road has reduced this to one traffic lane and introduced a new crossing point which has improved the connection between the Piazza area and the Entrance Lock.

to Avonmouth & Gloucester via Portway

to City Centre via Harbourside path

to Pill & Portishead via Avon Towpath

to LongAshton & Backwell, Bedminster and Southville via Ashton Swing bridge

to City Centre & Bedminster via New Cut

Cumberland Basin Traffic free cycle/walking routes Cumberland Piazza ImprovementMasterplan Proposals page 5

The site features in routes used by thousands of people for the Bristol halfmarathon, triathlon and 10k run and events like the Great Bristol Bike Ride. The site could be adapted to respond better to these new patterns of use. The BCC Public Realm and Movement Framework has identified the need to Rationalise routes to facilitate better N-S and E-W movements through the area (page 33).
half-marathon runners passing Cumberland Piazza

Art Under the Flyover event June 2011

Public art Sylvia Crowe envisaged a role for public art on the site which was never fulfilled (see Heritage Statement). We see possibilities for animating the space and increasing public use through this means. Our experience through the community-led Art Under the Flyover event held in 2011 was that large-scale artworks work well on this site to counter the austerity of the existing landscape.

2. Consultation
In preparing a Masterplan to respond to these new opportunities for the site our aim has been to incorporate the views expressed by local people and develop facilities that reflect current needs but in a way that is sympathetic to the original design and and also creates a high quality public space that Hotwells and Bristol as a whole can be proud of. Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association has carried out extensive consultation with the local community to find out what kind of uses might be desirable (see details of methodology in Appendix A). Of the 12 leading ideas, the importance of creating more of a green park-like feel to the piazza space rated almost twice as highly as any other single option (see analysis of consultation responses in Appendix B). This aspiration is supported by the City Docks Conservation Area Character Appraisal , 2011 which 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 recreation and biodiversity (page 33).
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3. Description of the proposed development

The existing road layout divides the site into five main zones.

A B C D E

A. The triangular area to the North between Cabot Way, Bennett Way and Bristol Gate. 1. Our intention is to plant more trees in this space in pits dug through the existing tarmac; Zone A impression from East near fountain site creating a green canopy. The mature trees will match the road system in scale; soften the concrete structure; reduce the noise and help to isolate visitors from the traffic. 2. A better-defined foot path/cycle path across the site from the Hotwell Road traffic lights to a crossing of the entrance lock (possibly using a restored Brunel Swivel Bridge. 3. The northern corner of the site will form a distinct entrance, bounded by shrubs and ground cover. This will limit access to the crossing point which is light -controlled and give the site a sense of enclosure from the adjacent roads. 4. The existing public toilets seem structurally sound but have lost their sanitary fittings and the Piazza zone Athe Hotwell Rd gateway water and electricity services have been disconnected. We do not see restoring these as toilets as practical or necessary. However they have approximately 40m2 of available space and would form a secure access point for restored water and electricity services to assist
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events and maintenance on the site. They could be used for short-term storage of items like gardening tools or sports equipment, with access by the Community Association. Part of the roof of the toilet block could be adapted to harvest rainwater for gardening. The front wall might be an appropriate site for a mural (this idea was proposed by Sylvia Crowe in her 1964 scheme). 5. The retaining wall around the former fountain (now filled with soil and grassed over) will be retained and could be used to site a large scale artwork; most appropriately, a section of the former timber gates removed from nearby Junction Lock, set in coloured glass chippings to suggest the former pool. Part artwork/ part heritage artefact with explanatory signage.

Impression of possible lock gate sculpture and interpretation boards

(Janet Margrie)

6.

The large covered area under the Cabot Way ramp presents particular problems. Obviously it cannot be planted and it is overlooked by houses on the other side of Hotwell Road so is not appropriate for noisy activities (like a wheels park for example). We propose using this dramatic space beside the busy road for a large scale work of art, perhaps involving projected light and paint on the columns, with a possible mural on the end wall. This will be subject to further discussion when it is possible to commission the work.
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B. The semi circular area to the South between Bennett Way and Cumberland Basin Rd There is a paved surface over most of this area with some grass and shrubs at the West end and a group of small trees at the east end. It slopes gently towards Zone B impresson from South Cumberland Basin Road where traffic is light, except at peak commuter times. A curved railing encloses the site of a former caf and childrens playground although these structures have been long-since removed, except for the raised circular concrete base of the caf building which is in poor condition. 1. Our intention is to take up the hard surface and lay grass to soften the area except within the playground railing. The aim is to strengthen the connection of the site to the Entrance Lock and views to the south. The existing marked cycle route that runs North/South to terminate at a dropped-kerb crossing of Cumberland Basin Road could be retained as a 3m tarmac path. There will be some additional tree-planting, at the narrow west end of the site which is little-used by people and where lockside views will not be obscured. The former childrens playground would have a geometric arrangement of large rocks from other parts of the site to form a decorative feature. This, the sunniest part of the site with open views towards the lock would benefit from renewed public seating. 6. We see this as a good point for information panels explaining the heritage significance of the Entrance Locks, Cumberland Basin and other nearby structures; either using free-standing boards or panels mounted on the wall of the flyover ramp on the North side 7. The ruinous caf rotunda could be repaired as a plinth for displaying permanent or temporary sculpture exhibits or artefacts with a maritime theme.
possible design for interpretation board

2.

3.

4. 5.

8. Additional low shrub planting outside the railing will separate this space from traffic without obscuring the view.

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9.

A paved area at the East end of Zone B, under existing mature trees, has become damaged by root growth and a thick covering of moss has accumulated. This will be retained where it lies under the tree canopy and bulbs and grasses inserted around the damaged paving, with additional soil and stones from the site used to create a low-maintenance ornamental bed (this is detailed in a separate plan of retained moss feature). It has long been necessary to create a vehicle-proof boundary to the whole site to prevent incursion of travellers. The existing random blocks of local limestone along the southern boundary will be replaced with a more formal barrier of bollards or shaped stone blocks, depending on what might be available as redundant materials from the Docks estate.
impression of moss feature (Landmark)

10.

stone and iron bollards in storage on quayside at Cumberland Basin (Landmark)

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C. The elliptical area enclosed by Bristol Gate and Faraday Road This consists of grass and shrubs to the North and a hard surface to the south with two silver birch trees and a great number of closely spaced pillars as four overhead roads converge here. We envisage this to offer scope for a safe youth recreation zone. 1. There is space for a small, informal ball games area; enclosed by fencing, marked out for a variety of ball games, which is reasonably level and largely covered. The paving will need replacing or covering with a betterquality tarmac surface.
typical Multi-use games area (Westway, London)

2. The adjacent space underneath the intersection of Humphry Davy Way and Bristol Gate could accommodate a small wheels park. It is largely covered but would also need re-surfacing. It is about 50m from the nearest houses in Dowry Place and largely screened from them by trees. 3. Faraday Road, as the least-used of the surrounding roads, offers the best option for vehicle access to the site for unloading and access for emergency and maintenance vehicles. A small lay-by typical wheels park (Westway, London) here and/or removable bollards is envisaged. 4. The large sheltered area which includes the proposed ball games site could also be used for community events or markets, utilising water and electricity services re-connected at the former public toilets (see A.4 above).

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D. The area south of Humphry Davy Way and East of the Plimsoll Bridge This is landscaped and grassed with mature shrubs and trees. Access to this section is via a subway under Faraday Road, connecting it to the main part of the Piazza to the west of Bristol Gate or up a ramp into the car park in Dowry Place. The path across only leads to a flight of steps leading up onto the footway on Humphry Davy Way; a route that is very seldom needed by pedestrians.

zone Dview from East

1. The underpass is lightly used. It is poorlymaintained and frequently flooded because gulleys are not regularly cleared and the access ramps are hazardous because of a covering of moss. The original function of the underpass was largely superceded by the lightcontrolled crossing at the junction of Faraday Road with Hotwell Road, which was a later addition. Our opinion is that, either arrangements have to be made for proper maintenance of this structure or it could be filled-in; perhaps with some of the redundant tarmac lifted from places on the Piazza where new grass will be underpass viewed from W. laid. 2. The steps and paths are in good condition and form an interesting range of levels and , with the walls of the adjacent flyover ramp, a very visible gallery that might be used creatively for displaying art.

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E. Triangle between Humphry Davy Way, Faraday Rd and Dowry Place / Oldfield Place. 1. This area is degraded by unregulated parking across road verges; possibly partly by commuters, because the adjacent car park in Oldfield Place has a 3 hour limit and is Zone E from North in 2011 not often full. The planted triangle island in the centre of this area should have bollards to restrict vehicles to the side of the road away from the centre island. Then the quality of planting could be improved with more shrubs. There is scope for reviewing the time limit in the car park to make it more attractive for local users without opening it up for all-day parking.

4. Existing site services

The existing site services below ground including electricity, gas water, sewerage, telephone, are particularly heavy along the southern boundary of the site parallel with Cumberland basin Road and on the triangle of land opposite the Rose of Denmark between Hotwells Road and Cabot Way. A high tension underground electric cable crosses part of the tree planting area to the North.

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5. Lighting and Public Safety

The Avon & Somerset Constabulary crime prevention 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 lighting which covers all the network of roads that criss-cross the site. However , if the site is used more intensively, there is a case for introducing more lighting under some of the flyover ramps, especially those in zone C where the wheels park and ball games area would be sited. 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 not felt that the proposed density will pose an additional risk to public safety.

6. Conclusion
The Masterplan for Cumberland Piazza presents a coherent and exciting new vision for the space which matches the needs of local people and the aspirations of the City for an urgent improvement to this rundown site. The City of Bristol Core Strategy highlights Cumberland Basin as a regeneration area in Central Bristol where continued improvement will be promoted (Bristol Development Framework, Core Strategy 2009 Policy BCS2). The Masterplan offers a cost-effective regeneration solution that can be delivered in phases, as and when resources become available. The phase I planning application will include the bulk of the landscape works, delivering worthwhile improvements for users of the space. This will be followed by further applications adding particular elements like public art, youth recreation, signage and information. Each will further enhance the quality of the space as an enduring public amenity for Hotwells and Bristol.

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Appendix A - Consultation Methodology

An article about the Cumberland Basin Piazza appeared in the community newspaper Hotwells & Cliftonwood News in Autumn 2009. This was distributed to around 2500 households in Hotwells & Cliftonwood. It included a questionnaire asking people to consider 12 possible ideas about new uses for the site in order of preference with the option of adding their own as well.

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The questionnaire was also distributed at other community events and meetings producing 99 completed forms. A public meeting was held and a steering group was formed, including professional architects and landscape designers, to integrate these ideas into a workable solution as a prelude to further consultation at local level. Subsequently a petition to Bristol City Council was initiated
We the undersigned call on Bristol City Council to end 40 years of neglect and work with

the community towards reinstating the former Cumberland Piazza in Hotwells as an attractive public open space that will meet the recreational needs of local people and mark a gateway to the City of which all citizens can Be proud. This received 338 signatures and was presented at a meeting of the Council. In 2011 a well-attended event called Art Under the Flyover was held in the space over the weekend of June 4th-5th as a way of engaging local people and soliciting further ideas and reactions to the proposals being developed. The final scheme was presented in the form of an article in the Community Newspaper Spring 2 012 editi on an d th roug h t he commu ni ty as s oci ati on w ebsit e www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk inviting further feedback.

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Appendix B - Analysis of consultation responses

The consultation questionnaire proposed 12 ideas for improving the space at Cumberland Piazza. The results of the survey were weighted to reflect priority (the item given first priority scored 12 and the last scored 1). This enabled us to produce an analysis of the most popular and practical suggestions.
Cumberland Basin 'Piazza' Development Ideas

Museum (9%) Cycle hub (7%)

Teen Park (8%) Caf (8%)

Heritage Exhib. (9%)

Sculpture Park (7%)

Car park (4%)

Park (15%)

Wood (8%)

Allotment (5%) Workshops (6%) Community use (9%)

Park / greenspace (nearly twice as popular as any other option)

Although there is much grass and a number of mature trees on the site, these are mainly around the periphery; filling areas that are too small or too near to roads to have other uses. It was felt that, to create green space where people could sit, sunbathe or socialise, it needed to form part of the core of the site, as far as possible from roads and at a place where views could be enjoyed.

Heritage exhibition /museum

The 1964 scheme did little to acknowledge and celebrate the wider historic importance of the site and Hotwells in general. We now have an opportunity to address that omission and promote the end of the harbour walkway with its views to the Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge as a visitor destination in its own right.

Teen Park
The site was felt to be inappropriate for very young children; especially with the knowledge of the failure of the playground that existed originally. A small playpark for younger children was subsequently developed on a nearby site in the 1990s. On the other hand, it was felt to have more potential for teenagers old enough to reach the space independently of their parents. This group is not well-served in Hotwells or Cliftonwood . The nearest purpose-built facilities for them being in Dame Emily park and Greville Smyth park across the river in Southville.
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An area has been identified where the flyover ramps converge that offers scope for developing a small wheels park and informal ball games area. It is an area that already has a hard surface (although this would need to be upgraded). It is partly-sheltered from rain. It is adjacent to busy roads and is thus secure and visible but is distant enough from neighbouring houses to not be a source of additional noise (Oldfield Place is about 100m north).

Community building
This reflects a long term campaign by local people to replace some of the amenities available at Hope Centre which closed in 2001. A substantial permanent structure seems an impractical aspiration for this site and we are not including this in the Masterplan.

Woodland
The idea of covering the site with trees was ruled out on the basis that it excluded most other possible uses. This was interpreted as part of the general desire to create a greener feel for the space that could be achieved by some additional trees.

Sculpture Park /Trail

The site seems well-suited to large scale public art for either temporary or permananent installation. The potential for this was reinforced by an event called Art Under the Flyover in June 2011 which included the creation of some very large painted panels for temporary display. It generated a lot of positive interest from local people. Sylvia Crowe envisaged a large mural on the wall of the toilet block in 1964 but the work was never carried out.

Cycle Hub
The site is in a key location at the junction of several pedestrian /cycle routes . A feature not currently reflected in the layout or signage. This feature could be integrated with other desirable uses like providing a place to sit and rest and heritage interpretation.

Caf
Another failed feature of the original scheme seems hardly likely to prove viable now but there is the possibility of setting up temporary catering for events on the site and passing the site on the footpaths and adjacent roads. For this reason we would like to reinstate water and power services that can be connected to caravans or stalls to facilitate this.

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