Henleaze Swimming Club

Why an active travel plan?

Henleaze Swimming Club, as part of its Lake's Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan, wants to encourage active travel to the lake by staff and members as one of the major ways the lake can make a difference to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

The West of England Combined Authority has set ambitious targets in their Joint Local Transport Plan of being carbon neutral by 2036. Their aim is for walking and cycling to be the default option for those making shorter journeys.

From Summer 2022 there will be a Bristol Clean Air Zone and charge for older vehicles travelling across the city centre will be charged £9 per day. The impact on roads outside of the zone is as yet unknown but could increase congestion on the outer lying roads including those around the lake.

Every year the staff and committee at the lake have to deal with complaints from local residents about the amount of inconsiderate parking on the roads adjacent to the lake.

From the membership record (as of December 2021) we have established that of the approx. 4000 members and Community Access users

25% of members live within 1 mile (approx. 10 minutes’ walk)
67% of members live within 2 miles (approx. 12 minutes cycle)
84% of members live within 3 miles (approx. 18 minutes cycle)

Active travel brings multiple benefits

For you - your own health and wellbeing
Your neighbours and fellow citizens
The quality of the local environment
The climate

There are a range of new electric modes of transport available for hire or purchase including e scooters and e bikes which present new opportunities for green travel across Bristol

Aims, Objectives and Outcomes

The core aim of this Travel Plan is to minimise vehicle trips (particularly single occupancy trips) to and from the lake, through increased use of public transport, walking, wheeling (wheelchairs and scooters) and cycling.

The objective of this Travel Plan is to achieve the following ‘outcomes’:

Reduce and minimise car travel (particularly single occupancy) to and from the lake
Identify a baseline of current travel choices by members and monitor changes over time
Encourage individuals to shift to a sustainable mode of travel and then maintain that change

Journey Planning

The Travel West website has a useful journey planner, which also gives an indication of how long a journey will take on foot, bicycle or bus

https://journeyplanner.travelwest.info/explore

Walking

It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to walk a mile. Further helpful information on walking can be found at:

Walk - Travelwest

Walking app - Walks Near Me — Go Jauntly

Cycling

The lake is near to local cycle routes and the national cycle network routes.

Better by Bike has some useful webpages:

The route planner is particularly useful for new cyclists, as it determines the safest route for your journey avoiding busy road and junction. You can also use Google diections but the rotes suggested are more direct and not so cycling friendly.

There are multiple cycle stands at the lake. If you have any punctures there is a repair kit and pump in the superintendents’ hut.

The nearest cycle shop for repairs, parts and cycles is Bikes 4 You at 188 Henleaze Road, Bristol · 0117 962 1365

Cycle Hire/Electric Cycle Hire

There are a number of electric hire schemes in Bristol that can help you navigate Bristol’s hills with minimum effort!

Cycle Training, Maintenance and Support

If you or your family need to build confidence cycling in the city, buy an inexpensive bike or learn how to maintain your bike, the following local organisations can help:

Electric Scooters

The nearest electric scooter pick up/drop off station is at the bottom of Henleaze Road (opposite the roundabout at the entrance to Lake Road). It is two minutes’ walk from the Lake entrance. Further information can be found about renting electric scooters at:

How to Voi - Your adventure starts with the Voi app (voiscooters.com)

Bus

The lake is well connected to a variety of bus route:

First Bus

route 2 and 2a within 2minutes’ walk of the lake
route 1 and 76 within 10 minutes’ walk

Stagecoach

Routes 10, 11 and 13 within 2 minutes’ walk of the lake

Website Links:

First Bus App, buy tickets and plan journeys

Stagecoach Bristol

Planner | Travelwest Journey Planner

As services and timetables can change check online for latest info at the links above

Route Number	Closest Bus Stop	Approximate Walking Distance from Lake	Serving
2	Lake Road Stop (Southmead Road)	Under 2 minutes	Cribbs Causeway to Stockwood
2a	Lake Road Stop (Southmead Road)	Under 2 minutes	Brentry to Stockwood
76	Wilton Close Stop (Doncaster Road)	Under 10 minutes	Henbury to Hartcliffe
1	Southfield Road Stop (Eastfield Road)	Under 15 minutes	Cribbs Causeway to Broomhill
10	Lake Road Stop (Southmead Road)	Under 2 minutes	Severn Beach to Bristol Parkway/Thornbury
11	Lake Road Stop (Southmead Road)	Under 2 minutes	Avonmouth to Aztec West
13	Waterdale Gardens Stop (Wellington Hill West)	Under 2 minutes	Broadmead to Shirehampton (via Bishopston)
Y6	Lake Road Stop (Southmead Road)	Under 2 minutes	Bristol Bus Station to Chipping Sodbury(via WhiteLadies Road)

By Car

If you have to visit by car please park considerately and also consider parking away from the roads immediately surrounding the lake and walking a short distance particularly where there are wider roads or more on street parking available.

Members with mobility issues

Members with mobility issues can reserve a parking space in the Lake grounds by calling the Lake (0117 962 0696 – during swimming hours only) before they drive to the Lake.

Accessible travel options in Bristol: Visit Bristol