Junction 2 of the M32 offers a large covered space which can be used in many
ways for the community. It has huge potential yet is under used.
The junction is a key route between Fishponds, Easton, Stapleton road and
Eastville Park with Muller road and Lockleaze, St Werburghs and the retail
park where many people shop. The space sits on the boundary of Eastville
and Lockleaze, and are Bristol’s fourth and fifth most diverse neighbourhoods.
Many ethnicities, religions and backgrounds all add to the social mix.1 The
space has the potential to be a rich place of community exchange due to the
location and all weather protection.
Currently the space is only used as a through route, this can be due to the
harsh environment, and that there is no reason to stop and dwell. Pedestrians
have been killed at surface level as they try to avoid the subways,2 and the
space at night is deemed less safe and has been subject to crime such as
criminal damage and arson.3 There are also large areas of unused ‘left over’
space to the east of junction 2, connected with redundant subways. Low
footfall inherently means spaces are deemed less safe.
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The scope of this report will outline proposals for interventions and props
situated underneath Junction 2 that can improve the perception of the space,
increase dwell time, and capitalise on this large underused public space.
