VISITORS to Southmead Hospital are reminded that there may be congestion around the site as works start to improve roads and access.

Improvements work to the existing roads, which started today (October 30), could lead to increased traffic around the hospital.

Traffic lights have been set up to control the flow of vehicles around the hospital to make way for work to build a new roundabout on Beaufort Way, which will become part of the new access from Southmead Road once works are complete. 

The changes to the road layout are part of the second phase of the redevelopment project, which includes the planned extension of the Brunel building.

North Bristol NHS Trust project manager, Martin Warren, said: “The works to change the road layout on the Southmead Hospital site over the coming months are likely to cause disruption to people driving on to the site and we ask patients, visitors and staff to bear with us during this time.

“We know that demolition and construction work during the past year has not been ideal for patients and visitors, but we thank you for your patience.

“We are working with Carillion to get the new car park open as soon as possible. The new facilities will make a difference to people visiting the hospital, so we just ask you to bear with us a little longer.”

The concrete frame of the multi-storey car park behind the new hospital has now been completed. The new patient and visitor parking facilities will enable people to walk directly into the Brunel building from the car park.

The extension will also house decontamination facilities, offices and seminar rooms, a cycle centre and community arts room.
Redevelopment of the Southmead Hospital site will also see three additional bus stops at the front of the hospital and more green space along with additional cycle spaces and staff parking.

To make way for construction work, old hospital buildings on the site had to be demolished and much of the stone from this demolition has been incorporated into the Brunel extension, which is expected to open in mid-2016.

As well as traffic control on Beaufort Way, there will be changes to the routes between the Brunel building and the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre and Bristol Breast Care Centre in the refurbished Beaufort House once works start on the roundabout.

Traffic lights are expected to be in place for around three months, but there may be some breaks in them being used or movement of them during that time.

For more information about what is happening with the next phase of the Southmead Hospital development visit nbt.nhs.uk/our-hospitals/southmead-hospital-bristol.