Post on 26-Jul-2015
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 3
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 4
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.
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 5
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 6
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 7
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’
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 8
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)
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 9
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 10
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)
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 11
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)
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 12
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 13
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
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 14
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.
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 15
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.
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 16
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.
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 17
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%)
Cumberland Piazza Improvement—Masterplan Proposals page 18
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.