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Getting There
Following
months of discussion, planning and consultation, public transport and
pedestrian access arrangements for the Discovery Channel International
Balloon Fiesta have been revised to minimise the effect of the Clifton
Suspension Bridge Trust’s decision to close the bridge at specific times
during the four days of the Fiesta.
As
in 2004, this decision has been taken to safeguard the historic
landmark’s continuing structural integrity, although the trustees have
taken into account feedback and data compiled last year and revised the
opening and closing schedule.
The
Fiesta organisers have announced revised plans to ensure that traffic and
pedestrian access and egress runs as smoothly as possible during the
event.
A
dedicated pedestrian entrance and bus drop off point is situated at the
Dovecote Pub. There are also additional road closures at exit times to
ensure the safety of the public.
Suspension
Bridge opening and closing times
The
Bridge will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians between the
following times:
Please
bear these times in mind when arranging your route to and from the Fiesta.
Please
note that despite the bridge closure, all Fiesta activity remains
unaffected.
Pedestrian
access point
A
designated pedestrian-only access has been created at the Dovecote Arms
entrance (on the B3128 Ashton Road from Long Ashton), throughout the
weekend. The Clifton Lodge
entrance to the Estate (closest to the Suspension Bridge) will also be
open to pedestrians only.
Bus
service details
Bus
service 60 running between Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Bus Station and
the City Centre will drop off passengers at the Dovecote entrance, so they
can walk straight into the estate. Visitors from Clifton can catch bus
services 9 and 9A from Clifton Village to the City Centre in order to pick
up the service 60 from these points.
For bus information, please contact Traveline on 0870 608 2 608.
The last buses to Bristol will leave the Dovecote Arms at 11pm.
Car
park entrances
As
in previous years, cars and other vehicles can enter the Estate at the
Kennel Lodge entrance via Clanage Road (A369), at Bower Ashton for the
lower car park and at Longwood Lane via Beggar Bush Lane (B3129) for the
upper car park. The number of car parking spaces on the Estate has been
increased, particularly in the upper car park.
Car parking is charged at £7 per vehicle per entry.
Advance
car park tickets
For
the first time, the 2005 Fiesta is offering advanced car park tickets,
available only via the official Fiesta website. These advanced tickets are
for the top car park only (Longwood Lane) and can be bought for multiple
days, saving visitors money and time at the fiesta.
For further information visit www.bristolfiesta.co.uk.
Temporary
road closures
This
year, to aid the exiting of pedestrians and vehicle traffic from Ashton
Court Estate during the Fiesta weekend, two temporary road closures will
be in place around the Estate to allow the mass exiting of vehicles from
its car parks on all evenings of the event.
Disabled
car parking
Disabled
parking is available in both public car parks with designated forward
parking for blue badge holders and is served on a first come first served
basis. Electric scooters will
be available at the Fiesta and can be booked in advance by contacting
Poole Shopmobility on 01202 661 770.
Please note that Poole Shopmobility will be based in the lower car
park should you require their services.
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