Cumberland Piazza Masterplan Proposals

Improvements to

Cumberland Piazza Hotwells, Bristol

Masterplan Proposals

Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association

July 2012

Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 2

Masterplan Proposals

1. Introduction 3 2. Consultation 6 3. Description of the proposed development 7 4. Existing site services 13 5. Lighting and Public Safety 14 6. Conclusion 14 Appendix A - Consultation Methodology 15 Appendix B - Analysis of consultation responses 17


1. Introduction The Cumberland Basin road scheme was developed in the early 1960s to overcome se-

vere 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 obliter-

ated to make way for the high level roads and approach ramps. The remaining space be-

neath 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 café.

The significance of this development and the current state of the site has been assessed

in a Heritage Statement (Improvements to Cumberland Piazza Hotwells—Heritage State-ment, Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association 2012).

From development to dereliction

As was usual with major developments at the time, local people had very little say in ei-

ther 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 café and toilets had been closed, the foun-

tain 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 recrea-

tional area for the benefit of local people and passing motorists (see description in Sylvia Crowe’s proposal quoted in the Heritage Statement), at some point it ceased to be recog-

nised 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.

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


Curiously, the adjacent working Entrance Lock and sides of Cumberland Basin; a some-

what hazardous environment, are classified as informal open space in the City’s Area

Green Space Plan.

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 Cumber-

land 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 pre-

sent. 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 Ba-

sin. 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.

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


The Harbourside walkway, and ferries cur-

rently terminate around Junction lock at

the eastern end of Cumberland Basin.

Making the Entrance Lock area more at-

tractive, improving signage and interpre-

tation of the locks and exploiting the

vista of the Avon Gorge and Clifton Sus-

pension Bridge would draw more visitors

into Hotwells and increase the custom for

our existing pubs, restaurants and galler-

ies.

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 memora-

ble 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 re-

cent development. 5 strategic routes are discussed in more detail in a Design & Access

Statement (Improvements to Cumberland Piazza Hotwells—Design & 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.

activity in Entrance Lock adjacent to Piazza

Cumberland Basin Traffic free cycle/walking routes

to LongAshton & Backwell, Bedmin-ster 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 & Bedminster via New Cut


The site features in routes used by thou-

sands of people for the Bristol half-

marathon, 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).

Public art

Sylvia Crowe envisaged a role for public

art on the site which was never fulfilled

(see Heritage Statement). We see pos-

sibilities 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 sin-

gle option (see analysis of consultation responses in Appendix B). This aspiration is sup-

ported 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 biodiver-sity’ (page 33).

half-marathon runners passing Cumberland Piazza

Art Under the Flyover event June 2011


3. Description of the proposed development The existing road layout divides the site into five main zones.

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;

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 re-

stored 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

water and electricity services have been discon-

nected. 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

Zone A impression from East near ‘fountain’ site

A

B C

D

E

Piazza zone A—the Hotwell Rd ‘gateway’


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 explana-

tory signage.

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 ex-

ample). We propose using this dramatic

space beside the busy road for a large

scale work of art, perhaps involving pro-

jected 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.

Miami—MacArthur Causeway

Impression of possible lock gate sculpture and interpretation boards (Janet Margrie)


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

Cumberland Basin Road where

traffic is light, except at peak commuter times. A curved railing encloses the site of a former

café and children’s playground although these structures have been long-since removed, ex-

cept for the raised circular concrete base of the café 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 En-

trance Lock and views to the south.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The former childrens’ playground would have a geometric arrangement of large rocks

from other parts of the site to form a decorative feature.

5. 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 explain-

ing 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 café rotunda could be repaired as a plinth for

displaying permanent or temporary sculpture exhibits or arte-

facts with a maritime theme.

8. Additional low shrub planting outside the railing will sepa-

rate this space from traffic without obscuring the view.

Zone B impresson from South

possible design for interpretation board


9. A paved area at the East end of Zone B, under existing ma-

ture 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 re-

tained moss feature).

10. It has long been necessary to create a vehicle-proof bound-

ary 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 bol-

lards or shaped stone blocks, depending on what might be

available as redundant materials from the Docks estate.

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

impression of moss feature (Landmark)


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 better-

quality tarmac surface.

2. The adjacent space underneath the intersec-

tion of Humphry Davy Way and Bristol Gate could

accommodate a small wheels park. It is largely cov-

ered 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 sur-

rounding roads, offers the best option for vehicle

access to the site for unloading and access for emer-

gency and maintenance vehicles. A small lay-by

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).

typical wheels park (Westway, London)

typical Multi-use games area (Westway, London)


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.

1. The underpass is lightly used. It is poorly-

maintained 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 light-

controlled 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

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.

underpass viewed from W.

zone D—view from East


E. Triangle between Humphry Davy

Way, Faraday Rd and Dowry Place /

Oldfield Place.

1. This area is degraded by unregu-

lated parking across road verges;

possibly partly by commuters, be-

cause the adjacent car park in Old-

field Place has a 3 hour limit and is

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.

Zone E from North in 2011


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 Cum-

berland 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 pro-

moted’ (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 recrea-

tion, signage and information. Each will further enhance the quality of the space as an endur-

ing public amenity for Hotwells and Bristol.


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 Hot-wells & 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.


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 fur-

ther 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 at-tractive 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 re-

actions to the proposals being developed.

The final scheme was presented in the form of an article in the Community Newspaper Spring

2012 edit ion and through the community association website

www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk inviting further feedback.


Appendix B - Analysis of consultation responses The consultation questionnaire proposed 12 ideas for improving the space at Cumber-

land 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.

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 omis-

sion 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 knowl-

edge 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 Clifton-

wood . The nearest purpose-built facilities for them being in Dame Emily park and Gre-

ville Smyth park across the river in Southville.

Cumberland Basin 'Piazza' Development Ideas

Teen Park (8%)

Café (8%)

Sculpture Park (7%)

Car park (4%)

Wood (8%)

Allotment (5%)

Community use (9%)Workshops (6%)

Park (15%)

Heritage Exhib. (9%)

Cycle hub (7%)

Museum (9%)


An area has been identified where the flyover ramps converge that offers scope for de-

veloping 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 avail-

able 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 Fly-

over’ 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 car-

ried 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.

Café 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.

Documents

Cumberland Piazza Masterplan Proposals