Bosses at Bristol University has ‘strongly advised’ thousands of would-be students and their parents not to drive into the city this weekend for the annual open days, as local travel managers warn of big disruption coming.
As many as 18,000 students - whose parents often come too - will be heading to Bristol on Friday and Saturday (June 15 and 16), to take part in the University of Bristol’s open days.
The university holds open days in June and early September for prospective students, and opens up its various campuses around the city.
The sheer numbers of people arriving in the city at the same time, and wandering around the streets, has caused disruption and delays in the past.
TravelWest is warning people to expect delays on the M32 and in and around Park Street, Clifton Triangle and the area of the university’s main campus.
Road closures
There will be three partial road closures in the Clifton area between 12.01am and 7pm on Saturday.
Closures include:
The north end of Woodland Road
Priory Road
Tyndall Avenue
The south end of Woodland Road will have enforced traffic calming measures in place.
The university has apologised for any disruption caused during the open day.
The university is ‘strongly advising’ prospective students to use public transport to get to Bristol, and is warning there are no parking facilities at the campus.
Park and Ride buses being laid on specially for the event are already fully-booked, so people not booked on will have to use other public park and ride services, public transport more generally or drive into the city centre and take their chances trying to find somewhere to park.
How to get to the university
From Bristol Temple Meads
The number 9, 8 and 72 bus services runs frequently. They stop at Tyndall Avenue on the university's campus.
The number 1, 2, 3, 4 and One bus services all sdtop in the Park Street, Triangle and Whiteladies Road areas. They can be caught from various city centre stops including Union Street, The Centre or College Green.
Walking
Walking to the University will generally involve an uphill climb to reach the University campus - WalkIt.com allows you to plan your route.
Cycling
Better by Bike (Bristol City Council) have online cycle maps and information on where you can pick up a paper cycle map.
The open day
Prospective students and their guests will get a taste of university life and the chance to learn about the wide range of degree courses on offer as well as scholarship and funding opportunities.
All undergraduate schools and departments are taking part and will be hosting interactive demonstrations, tours, talks and displays offering future students a real insight into the University experience at Bristol.
Visitors will be able to view a selection of student residences in the city centre, Clifton and Stoke Bishop, with a free shuttle bus service running between the main University campus and Stoke Bishop throughout the day.
The Bristol Veterinary School, based on the Langford Campus, will be open to visitors interested in veterinary nursing and veterinary science courses.
Alicia O’Grady, director of external relations at the University of Bristol, said: "We’re looking forward to welcoming open day visitors, both local and those from further afield, and hope they will enjoy their time exploring our fantastic city and campus.
"Open days are an ideal opportunity for prospective students and their guests to gain a real flavour of University life and city culture as well as seeing what the university can offer in terms of accommodation, prospects and pastoral support.”
