The University’s 2023 Staff and Student Travel Survey is live from Wednesday 15 November until Wednesday 6 December 2023.
This is a chance for University of Bristol staff and students to let us know about how you travel to and from the University and what changes you'd like to see in the transport services available to help you get around.
The information you provide will help us improve journeys to and from campus for everyone and support the University in achieving its sustainability goals.
All University of Bristol staff and students are invited to take 5-10 minutes to complete the online questionnaire before the survey closes at midnight on Wednesday 6 December.
On both Remembrance Day (11/11/2023) and Remembrance Sunday (12/11/2023) First Bus are offering free bus travel (including on the U1 and U2 services) across the West of England to the Armed Forces community, serving troops, veterans, and cadets. They can travel for free to attend commemorative events to remember the service and sacrifice of their comrades.
To claim free travel, all current and former military personnel should show the driver their Armed Forces ID or wear their medals or uniform.
Our drivers may pull over to carry out a 2 minute silence at 11am on these days, so please be patient if you are on the bus.
Find out more.
4 August 2023 - road traffic update
The M4 and M5 will each have a one-lane road closure around the Almondsbury interchange (junction 16) to facilitate an upgrade - delays might be likely.
2 August 2023
The final University open day this year will take place on Saturday 9 September 2023
The University anticipates welcoming up to 25,000 visitors to this event, so the Clifton campus will be much busier than usual.
As in previous years, Tyndall Avenue, Woodland Road and Priory Road will be closed to general traffic. There will be a one-way system in place from St Michael’s Hill, along Tyndall Avenue, turning right onto Woodland Road and exiting at Tyndall’s Park Road. Please note, it will not be possible to travel from one end of Woodland Road to the other, or to travel directly between Woodland Road and Priory Road.
Current Clifton Campus Staff parking permit holders and Disabled parking permit holders will receive an email with further information about access and parking within the closed roads shortly before the event.
The First Bus services 72 will divert via Queens Avenue, Elmdale Road and Tyndall’s Park Road in both directions.
Further information for Visitors to the Open Day can be found on the Undergraduate Open Days website
26 June 2023
Register for The Big Bristol Travel Challenge today! It is a great way to get active this July! Leave your car at home and walk, ride, run, skate, scoot or take public transport for more of your everyday journeys. The challenge is a fun, free tool to help you boost your health and wellbeing this July and win prizes! Everyone who lives or works in Bristol can take part and there’s lots of help and encouragement available throughout the month.
University of Bristol Open Days
12 June 2023
The University open days this year will take place on Friday 16 June, Saturday 17 June and Saturday 9 September.
The University anticipates welcoming up to 25,000 visitors to this event, so the Clifton campus will be much busier than usual.
As in previous years, Tyndall Avenue, Woodland Road and Priory Road will be closed to general traffic. There will be a one-way system in place from St Michael’s Hill, along Tyndall Avenue, turning right onto Woodland Road and exiting at Tyndall’s Park Road. Please note, it will not be possible to travel from one end of Woodland Road to the other, or to travel directly between Woodland Road and Priory Road.
Current Clifton Campus Staff parking permit holders and Disabled parking permit holders will receive an email with further information about access and parking within the closed roads during w/c 5 September.
The First Bus services 72 will divert via Queens Avenue, Elmdale Road and Tyndall’s Park Road in both directions.
Further information for Visitors to the Open Day can be found on the Undergraduate Open Days website
4 May 2023
The Bike Month Challenge runs throughout May. It’s a fun, free, campaign from Love to Ride which encourages and supports people to cycle. The University of Bristol is registered, so get on your bike, log your rides and be in with a chance of winning one of the amazing prizes, including a £2,000 cash grand prize! Find out more and sign up here.
4 May 2023
The staff parking permit application window for the 2023/2024 permit year beginning 1 August 2023, will open on the 1 June and close at 5pm on Friday 23 June 2023. Information on Clifton Campus (Precinct) staff needs-based parking and how to apply can be found on the staff car parking webpages.
4 May 2023
Bristol City Council is currently advertising a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the re-opening of the southern end of University Road (off the Triangle) to motorised traffic. Details of the TRO and how to comment can be found here (ref: CAE/NMT/P-1262).
Updated 9 May 2023: The University of Bristol's letter of objection (PDF, 244kB), submitted to BCC's Traffic Regulation Orders Team on the 9 May 2023
4 April 2023
The University offers a number of staff and student travel benefits (PDF, 150kB) that have been negotiated through third party transport providers.
1 March 2023, updated 6 March 2023
The annual Travelwest Travel to Work survey is open 6 - 12 March 2023. Please help the West of England Local Councils make investment decisions about future transport schemes, and assist the University in developing its transport strategy, by completing the survey. In return, you will have the opportunity to be entered into a draw to win one a £50 shopping voucher.
www.travelwest.info/survey/uob (University of Bristol Staff and PGRs only)
16 January 2023
The University of Bristol Staff Engagement Team is delighted to announce their upcoming Physical Health Festival for all staff. It is a week-long roadshow of in-person and virtual workshops, talks, taster sessions, health kiosks, a stallholder’s exhibition and much more! The festival takes place 23-27 January 2023
The week-long program of events includes a stallholders Exhibition in the Great Hall, Wills Memorial Building at which the Sustainability Transport team will have a stand.
Find out further info by seaching 'Physical Health Festival' on Develop and by visiting the Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Sharepoint site
Join Travelwest's Superuser group and help to revolutionise the way people travel in the region for the better.
The West of England Combined Authority is building a new travel platform so that local people can easily plan, book, and pay for transport throughout the region. They expect to launch early next year.
They’re looking for around 150 people who travel around the region by walking, bike, bus, train, scooter, ferry, car, or even skateboard to trial the platform and become ‘Superusers’ – refining and perfecting the service and helping to shape its future. Superusers will get exclusive early access to the platform and see how this revolution in mobility happens, first hand. Register now to become a Superuser
John Brenton has taken on the role of Interim Head of Sustainability. John was previously the Sustainability Manager (Analyis) within Campus Division.
During the festive period, between 24 December 2022 and 2 January 2023, First Bus will be operating their Christmas and New Year timetables.
For more information visit the First Bus website
8 December 2022
Further rail strikes are planned over the Christmas period, which is likely to cause major distruption.
For more information visit the GWR website
8 December 2022
After nearly 22 years of service, Martin Wiles, Head of Sustainability is leaving the University in January to take up a post at the University of Surrey. Team Transport thanks Martin for his assistance, and all of his hard work and contribution to Campus Division and the University over the years.
10 November 2022
Bus operator First West of England is offering free travel on all its services to serving Armed Forces personnel, cadets and veterans on Remembrance Day (Friday 11th November), and Remembrance Sunday (13th November), so they can attend commemorative events. The offer includes the Unibus U1 and U2 services, Park & Ride, metrobus and the Airport Flyer services.
For further information, visit the First Bus webpage
3 November 2022
Bristol moves+ is a free app that rewards University of Bristol students and staff for being more active, more often. Using incentives such as free hot drink vouchers, apparel and other rewards, Moves+ users will be motivated to increase their daily activity and suseqently benefit from the positive impact of being more active in their daily lives.
For more information, visit the Bristol moves + webpage
3 November 2022
Bristol's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will start on Monday 28 November 2022. Visit the CAZ page for advice on how the CAZ might affect your commuting and other private car journeys, and the exemptions and other support available from the council.
3 November 2022
Trades unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR and Network Rail, on Saturday 5, Monday 8 and Wednesday 9 November.
On these days train services will be severely disrupted and some parts of the GWR network will have no train service at all. Train services on the days following the industrial action will also be disrupted.
For more information visit the GWR website
7 November 2022
UPDATE: Strike action has been called off, however the services will still be severely disrupted, with some parts of the network having no service.
14 October 2022
The interim staff parking permit application window for the current 2022/23 permit year will open on Monday 24 October and close at 5 pm on Friday 18 November. You can find information on the Clifton Campus (Precinct) staff needs-based parking policy, parking charges and how to apply on the staff car parking webpages. University of Bristol staff only.
6 October 2022
From Sunday 9 October, most bus services which go into Bristol City Centre will be relocating, including the Unibus U1 and U2 services.
For more information on how your service will be affected, please visit the First Bus website. On this page you can also click on the service number to view the latest timetable and route map.
The changes to the U1 service bus stops can be viewed on the U1 timtable map
The changes to the U2 service bus stops can be viewed on the U2 timetable map
5 October 2022
This October, Travelwest are challenging everyone in Bristol to try new ways of getting around – whether that’s by taking the bus, walking, scooting, cycling or car sharing more often.
Changing just a few of your journeys each week can help you save money, improve the air we all breathe, and help you feel great.
You can join the challenge under the University of Bristol, a specific team or as an individual. Just log the journeys that you travel, set targets and encourage each other along the way. There are amazing prizes to be won for anyone who takes part.
For more information visit the Active October challenge website
29 September 2022
Trades unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR and Network Rail, on Saturday 1, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 7, and Saturday 8 October.
On these days train services will be severely disrupted and some parts of the GWR network will have no train service at all. Train services on the days following the industrial action will also be disrupted.
For more information visist the GWR website
20 Sept 2022
From Sunday 25th September, First are making changes to fares across the West of England. The changes include:
For more information visit the First website
16 Sept 2022
Network Rail will be working on bridges and track in Somerset, North Somerset and South Bristol as follows:
This work is essential maintenance to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway and involves working 24/7 throughout the six-day period.
For more information about the work please see the attached factsheet or got to the Network Rail web page www.networkrail.co.uk/huntspill
From 18 – 23 September:
If you are travelling along the affected route during this time, please plan your journey, allow extra time and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.GWR.com/Bristol
16 Sept 2022
Following the announcement of a National Bank Holiday for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, First Bus will operate the following:
Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance. Please refer to the relevant Sunday/Public Holiday timetable for your service.
1 Sept 2022
The world’s biggest group ride is here and all you have to do to take part is ride your bike!
Whether you’re rolling out with your co-workers or going solo, let’s get more people discovering the joy of riding. Log your rides to earn points, climb the leaderboard, and win prizes!
For more infomation and to register against the University of Bristol, visit the Cycle September.
31 Aug 2022
The railway in and around Bristol is being transformed over the next few years to pave the way for more rail services so we can move more people, more reliably. Improvements to the tracks and signalling in the area will ease congestion and enable us to run more trains in the future.
More rail improvement work will be taking place this summer affecting trains via Bristol Parkway as well as train services between Bristol and South Wales.
For further information, visit the GWR website
25 Aug 2022
The University's Open Day will take place on Saturday 10 September 2022.
The University anticipates welcoming up to 25,000 visitors to this event, so the Clifton campus will be much busier than usual.
Tyndall Avenue, Woodland Road and Priory Road will be closed to general traffic to allow the Open Day shuttle bus service to operate. There will also be a one-way system in place from St Michael’s Hill, along Tyndall Avenue, turning right onto Woodland Road and exiting at Tyndall’s Park Road. Please note that it will not be possible to travel from one end of Woodland Road to the other, or to travel directly between Woodland Road and Priory Road.
Current Clifton Campus Staff parking permit holders and Disabled parking permit holders will receive an email with further information about access and parking within the closed roads during w/c 5 September.
The First Bus services 72 will divert via Queens Avenue, Elmdale Road and Tyndall’s Park Road in both directions.
Further information for Visitors to the Open Day can be found on the Undergraduate Open Days website
7 July 2022
On Monday 28 November 2022, the delayed Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will launch in Bristol. Full details, including how to check whether your vehicle will be charged if it enters the zone, and possible financial support is available on Bristol City Council's website.
The University’s transport team (part of Campus Division) is continuing to deliver their Cleaner Fleet Programme to support departments in adapting their fleet transport operations to the CAZ.
16 June 2022
Planned industrial action by the RMT union across the Rail industry will result in sever distruption to rail services from 21 to 25 June. Great Western Railway (GWR) will have a significantly reduced temporary timetable in place over this period. Their dedicated web page has an overview of the timetable for each region and clear maps showing where services are operational. This is a dedicated web page will be kept up to date throughout the week. In addition, Network Rail are now entering timetable changes into the national timetable database, and detailed changes to weekday services will be available in online journey planners from Friday 17 June, and for weekend services from Saturday 18 June.
GWR strike day services (PDF, 974kB)
25 May 2022
The current temporary Covid-19 staff parking policy will end on the 31 July 2022 and the pre-pandemic staff needs-based policy will come back into effect on the 1 August 2022. For information on the needs based criteria, charges, application windows and how to apply, visit the staff parking permit webpages.
16 May 2022, updated 10 June 2022
The University's Open Days will take place on the 17 June, 18 June and 10 September 2022.
The University anticipates welcoming up to 25,000 visitors to each event, so the Clifton campus will be much busier than usual.
Tyndall Avenue, Woodland Road and Priory Road will be closed to general traffic to allow the Open Day shuttle bus services to operate. There will also be a one-way system in place from St Michael’s Hill, along Tyndall Avenue, turning right onto Woodland Road and exiting at Tyndall’s Park Road.
Current Clifton Campus (Precinct) Cat 1 Staff permit holders and Disabled permit holders will receive an email with further information about access and parking within the closed roads.
The First Bus services 72 will divert via Queens Avenue, Elmdale Road and Tyndall’s Park Road in both directions. The U2 service will operate as usual, but will likely experience delays due to increased congestion around the triangle.
Roadworks: The Severn Bridge connecting Bristol and Wales will be closed between 17 June 19:00 and 20 June 06:00 for barrier/rence Repairs, with a diversion via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. Visitors traveling from Wales are advised to plan an alternative route before they travel to the University's Open Days.
Further information for Visitors to the Open Day can be found on the Undergraduate Open Days website
22 March 2022
The University and First Bus would love to hear what passengers think about the two Unibus services, the mTickets app, and the wider First Bus network in Bristol, by completing this short Unibus Satisfaction survey.
As a thank you for taking the time to complete the survey, participants can enter into a prize draw to win one of five £40 vouchers for Everyman Cinema.
The survey closes at midnight on Friday 8 April.
https://bit.ly/bristolunibus2022
4 March 2022, updated 14 March 2022
The West of England councils (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) carry out an annual Travel to Work Survey to help develop their transport strategies and make investment decisions about future transport schemes. They and the University are keen to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact work and travel patterns.
The University would therefore be grateful if all STAFF could complete this annual travel survey. You have the opportunity to enter into a prize draw to win a hot air balloon ride for two people and £50 shopping vouchers.
Your participation will be valuable and help identify current and emerging travel and work patterns, and therefore also help the University to develop their transport strategy and plans.
University data from previous Travelwest surveys can be found here.
Update: The survey period has been extended by a week, therefore it will now close on Sunday 20 March 2022.
18 Feb 2022
Please be advised, that due to storm Eunice and in line with all bus services in Bristol operated by First, the Unibus U1 and U2 services are currently suspended on Friday 18 Feb 2022. It is now likely that the Unibus services will not resume operation until the morning of Sat 19 Feb 2022. First are reviewing the situation on an ongoing basis. Please view the First website for the latest information on when the services are likely to resume.
Update: The U1 and U2 Unibus services will resume operation on 19 Feb 2022.
Highway code changes - from 29 January 2022
31 January 2022
Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses. Eight of the key changes are:
BCC Consultation on Park Row, Perry Road, Upper Maudlin Street and Colston Street
30 November 2021
Bristol City Council is asking residents, commuters and business owners for their views on the proposed improvements to Park Row, Perry Road, Upper Maudlin Street and Colston Street.
On street drop-in sessions: BCC is holding on street drop-in sessions at key locations so that people can see the designs and ask any questions. Details can be found here
Online public presentation: BCC is also holding a public online presentation, 6 – 8pm on the 14 December. To join this session please email transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk with Park Row Consultation as the title.
30 November 2021
Bristol City Council is asking residents, commuters and business owners for their views on the proposed improvements to the number 2 bus route (A37/4018) which includes the closure of Park Street to through traffic and improvements to public space.
On street drop-in sessions: BCC is holding on street drop-in sessions at key locations so that people can see the designs and ask any questions. Details can be found here
22 November 2021
Rediscover your city with First's £1 evening fare, valid for any single journey in the Bath or Bristol Zone* (including the Unibus U1 service) after 7pm until 4.29am.
Full information, including T&Cs and how to purchase your evening ticket can be found on the First website
* £1 evening fare not valid on Bristol (Brislington or Portway) Park & Ride services, travel to Bristol Airport or travel to/from Bath Park & Ride sites.
8 November 2021
The temporarily suspended Clifton Campus (Precinct) Visitor car parking will be re-instated from the 15 November. Staff members will be able to book and pay for the Visitor parking from the 15 November via the booking platform
8 November 2021
On the 14 November, First will be offering free travel across their entire network including Park & Ride, metrobus and Airport Flyer services. This also includes the University's Unibus U1 service.
Free travel will be offered to serving Armed Forces personnel, cadets and veterans so they can attend commemorative events.
To claim free travel, all current and former military personnel need to wear their uniform or medals, or show their military ID card.
First's drivers may also pull over to honour the two-minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Day, 11th November, where it is safe for them to do so.
Clean Air Zone update
8 November 2021
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will launch next summer enabling Bristol to meet clean air targets in 2023 with £42 million of government funding available for greener transport initiatives, for example electric bike loans, free bus tickets, and upgrades to cleaner vehicles.
The University’s transport team (part of Campus Division) is continuing to deliver their Cleaner Fleet Programme to support departments in adapting their fleet transport operations to the CAZ.
The first phase includes the allocation of new capital funding to help replace some of the University’s older fleet vehicles with zero emission alternatives, i.e. battery electric vehicles, electric cargo bikes and a pool of electric bikes for departmental business use.
West of England e-scooter trial to be extended
8 November 2021
The trial, led by the West of England Combined Authority, has now been extended until March 2022. The service, operated by Voi, has helped replace 900,000 short car journeys and improved air quality by saving an estimated 480 tonnes of CO2.
Around 75% of riders in the region use e-scooters regularly to commute, shop or visit friends and family with more than 1 in 8 riders using them to connect with public transport to help get them around the region.
The trial, part of a national programme is expected to inform government on how e-scooters could be legalised and regulated and how they could work with the existing transport system.
Voi has worked closely with the Combined Authority, the local police and councils throughout the trial to innovate and improve safety for riders, pedestrians and vulnerable road users. This has included the introduction of the ‘End Ride Photo’ feature to incentivise good parking, as well as a ‘Report a Voi’ webpage.
For more information visit Travelwest
Tyndall Avenue Road Closure: 21 - 23 September
17 September 2021
Tyndall Avenue will be closed 10am to 5pm between the 21 and 23 September 2021. This is to accommodate the University's Welcome Week village in Royal Fort Gardens.
Pedestrian and cycle access is still permitted.
Bus service 72 will be diverted via Woodland Road and Tyndall's Park Road, in both directions.
1 September 2021
The Unibus U1 bus service resumes operation for the Academic Year on Wednesday 15 September 2021. For further information, including the timetable please visit the Unibus website
2 July 2021
Bristol East junction at Bristol Temple Meads station is being upgraded over an eight week period from Saturday 10 July to Friday 3 September, with the first phase running through to Friday 6 August. Some journey times will change, some services will be diverted, and some services will be replaced by buses.
Updated journey patterns for the first five weeks of the works have been entered into online journey planners and customers are strongly advised to check their journey before travel. Customers are invited to check their journey on the following dedicated webpages at GWR and crosscountry trains or through any online journey planner.
15 June 2021
The U1 ends for the Academic Year on the 18 June and will resume on the 20 September for the 2021/2022 Academic Year.
The service has undergone nine timetable changes over the past nine months to facilitate the changes in demand due to the Covid pandemic. Along with a 50% less vehicle capacity due to the social distancing restrictions.
15 June 2021
Campus Division is co-ordinating the University’s response to Bristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) which will introduce daily charges for older and more polluting vehicles driving in the city centre and harbourside areas.
The CAZ is due to be introduced in October to help bring air pollution from road traffic to within legal limits.
A daily charge of £9 will apply to cars and vans with emissions standards below Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (petrol). As a rough guide, this means diesel vehicles made before 2015 and petrol ones made before 2006 will be charged. Higher charges of £100 per day will apply to HGVs, buses and coaches that don’t meet these standards.
No vehicles will be banned from entering the CAZ and the city council will be offering exemptions and financial support for people most impacted, including low income workers and residents living within the zone.
A map of the charging zone and full details of the charges, exemptions and financial support available (with updates as they are announced) are available from the council’s CAZ web pages. There is also an online tool for anyone to check if their vehicle(s) might be liable for the charge.
Further information for staff will be published on these pages as it becomes available.
The University’s transport team (part of Campus Division) is also managing a Cleaner Fleet Programme to support departments in adapting their fleet transport operations to the CAZ.
The first phase includes the allocation of new capital funding to help replace some of the University’s older fleet vehicles with zero emission alternatives, i.e. battery electric vehicles, electric cargo bikes and a pool of electric bikes for departmental business use.
Further guidance on this funding will be issued in the coming weeks to departments which operate University fleet vehicles.
Subsequent phases of the Cleaner Fleet Programme are planned to include a new fleet management system and an expanded campus car club offering departments dedicated access on demand to a range of shared vehicles for hourly hire.
