Originally having deferred the decision on a £95m entertainment centre development plan, Bristol City Council has recently decided to reassess the plans, cited to have originally raised concerns over traffic impacts of the Bristol Arena. Attempting to overcome the concerns, efforts have been made in preparation of this moment, and as such, is at a point worthy of being reviewed and reassessed.

It is expected that discussions will ensue next month, with two applications presented for the talks; the two documents looking at the bigger picture of the development of Arena Island, with the other providing a much more localised look into the development of the arena structure itself.

To overcome some of the original traffic issues feared, a report to highlight progress on the transport plans is also to be provided alongside the aforementioned applications. Whether or not the plans are enough to set aside the previous concerns is presently unknown, with some referring to it as a “vanity project” of architect and directly elected mayor, George Ferguson.

£7.75m has been set aside for transportation-relative plans associated with the project, displaying a commitment to ensuring that traffic and transportation systems are in place from the opening of the venue, as well as that of rising to the challenges laid out by the original deferral and comments.

For the project itself, Bouygues UK sits as the preferred bidder, however is unable to make any real progress until councillors agree on backing the project. Referring to the project as one which is of great import to the region itself, Mr Ferguson made comment, saying: “I hope that this new report, along with conditions that will be attached to the application, will give them the confidence they require to approve the plans.”

Only time will tell if this project will make it through this time and we will report further as and when we find out of any further progress.