Brikey one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Brikey here.

Regrettably, I cannot particularly recommend this route as designed. It spends too much time in industrial / urban areas to appeal as a recreational walk; but then veers into sufficiently difficult rural terrain to prevent it serving as a convenient commute between Bristol and Keynsham.


In addition, there are obstacles that render it unsuitable for cycling (except perhaps on a mountain bike), pushchairs or wheelchairs. Walkers should mostly be ok although the crossing of the A4174 is a cause for concern (I spent a long time on the median waiting for the second pair of lanes to clear).


On two occasions it was impossible to follow the suggested route due to locked gates: these are the section parallel to Allison road (which should be used instead) and at Dixon Business Centre (which should not be entered at all, instead continuing along Dixon Road).


Between the A4174 and Durley lane the path was also flooded; although not severely enough to prevent progress with good shoes today, I could imagine problems in worse weather.


Two stars then as it was possible (with alterations) to complete the trip between the two destinations; and I did enjoy the street art between Temple Meads and Arno's Vale. But I suspect there are more pleasant (if longer) off-road routes following the River Avon; and more practical (if less interesting) options along the A4 Bath Road.

The route was walked from Bristol (Bus Station) to the Clock Tower on Temple Street (Keynsham) Saturday 22.05.2021 (afternoon) – joined by two friends for the whole route. It was undertaken using the downloaded gpx file, which was then uploaded on to OS Maps. The weather was dry for most of the route with the occasional light shower. This is a varied route that includes urban and suburban streets, a riverside walk and paths through pleasant greenspace (including public parks, fields and woodland). The section in Brislington includes a walk through a trading estate. Notably, as it was a Saturday, most premises on the trading estate were closed or otherwise quiet. Cyclists and walkers (as opposed to pedestrians and wheelers on city and suburban pavements) were most evident on the section after passing Temple Meads Railway Station (Cattle Market Road) to Sparke Evans Park (opposite The Paintworks). This section follows the River Avon Trail and has much graffiti (in Bristol often acknowledged as street art). Numerous walkers were also present on the paths through the fields above Victory Park in Brislington. Given the variety of urban, suburban and rural environments that the route passes through, there were a variety of surfaces encountered. The route felt accessible to most walkers and wheelers between the Bristol Bus Station and Broomhill, although the ramp to the Sparke Evans Park Suspension Footbridge (crossing the River Avon) might be a challenge for some wheelchair users and seating was largely absent after leaving the city centre. After Broomhill the route encounters a number of barriers that could limit access including kissing gates (e.g. to access the field above Victory Park and the fields between Ironmould Lane and the A4174), deeply rutted and muddy tracks (notably sections of Ironmould Lane, Brislington), rough grassy sections (e.g. the fields above Victory Park and beyond Ironmould Lane), a road crash barrier and several stiles (e.g. woods between the A4174 and Durley Park) and numerous steps (e.g. woods between the A4174 and Durley Park). The section through the woods between the A4174 and Durley Park (although delightful) also had a section where it appeared that the adjacent watercourse could overflow and lead to periodic localised flooding to cut off access along the path (as evidenced by sandbags configured to form a protective barrier). The crossing of the A4174 was a challenge given the level (and speed) of traffic encountered on this major road and requires caution and patience for all users as there are no traffic lights. The complex road crossing at Arnos Vale (where the A4 merges with the A4320) can be negotiated via pedestrian crossings with traffic lights, as can the other complex road crossing at Temple (to cross from Victoria Street to the A4 in the vicinity of Temple Meads Railway Station). Overall, the route constitutes an interesting and useful means to get between Bristol city centre and Keynsham town centre for most walkers. Consequently, it has been rated at a 4. However, this score is provisional since it is felt there are a few problem areas along the current Slow Way that need to be addressed. These are as detailed below, and it is felt they can be relatively easily addressed by minor adjustments to the route. As such at this time the verification is identified as a ‘maybe’. After Wick Road Library the current route takes an passage/ alleyway behind the houses on southerly side of Allison Road – however, towards where this joins Sherwell Road a large padlocked gate blocked access causing a return to Allison Road. It is recommended that Allison Road becomes the route and, in any case, felt more pleasant than the existing rear alleyway section. The current route (and OS map) suggests that there is a well-defined route along field boundaries above Victory Park. However, this footpath soon petters out to become a line of dense, impenetrable vegetation. A well-trodden pathway does exist through the fields above this which roughly follows the line of electricity pylons to reach a kissing gate at Bonville Road on Brislington Trading Estate. On Brislington Trading Estate the current route (and OS map) suggests a through-route from Dixon Road to Hulbert Close. However, there is no access on Dixon Road to make this connection. While a footpath was found from Hulbert Close, it continued in a different direction to that on the OS map/ Slow Way with a substantial fence barring access to where it was indicated on the map. Furthermore, it felt very unpleasant, cut-off/ remote and closed-in with lots of litter. Access to it meant passing along Hulbert Close which had some abandoned and vandalised vehicles left on it. It is recommended that the Slow Way instead continues along the entirety of Dixon Road and then turns up Broomhill Road to reach Ironmould Lane. The OS map and current Slow Way shows the route from the end of Ironmould Lane to be across the first field. However, on-the-ground the footpath follows the boundary of this field to reach a gate in the north-eastern corner of the field. The following field does have a clear path across it as indicated by the Slow Way as drafted. On reaching Keynsham the current route diverts from the High Street along Charlton Road and then a passageway adjacent to the carparks on Ashton Way before turning down Rock Road to reach Temple Street and the Clock Tower. Many may wonder why this is so when a walk along Keynsham High Street (B3116) to the junction with Temple Street felt no less pleasant and slightly shorter with opportunities for refreshment.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.