Emersons Green

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Emersons Green
latitude= 51.4947
longitude= -2.5049
civil_parish=
population =
unitary_england= South Gloucestershire
lieutenancy_england=Gloucestershire
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Kingswood
post_town= BRISTOL
postcode_district = BS16
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 0117
os_grid_reference= ST650774

Emersons Green is a residential area on the northern outskirts of Bristol, England. It was developed from farming land during the 1990s and early 21st century, and sits between the historic villages of Mangotsfield and Downend. Emersons Green lies within the Unitary Authority of South Gloucestershire, and is part of the Parliamentary Constituency of Kingswood.

History

The area was selected for development as part of the Avon County Structure Plan in 1985. Formerly green belt land bordering Mangotsfield and Downend, it was proposed to develop the area that now constitutes Emersons Green, with the green belt area being moved outwards. This area would also contain parts of the extensions to the A4174 Avon ring road.

Coal was mined from the area during the 19th century. To the south there is a quarry, which has been reactivated.

Geography

Three areas of Emersons Green can be identified, according to the original development plan:
* 150 hectares to the west and south of the A4174 containing housing and the retail park which includes the Sainsbury's supermarket.
* 31.5 hectares bordered by the M4, A4174 and Westerleigh Road. A business park was built on this area in the late 1990s.
* About 175 hectares to the north-east of the A4174 and south of Westerleigh Road. This area has been highlighted for the building of a science research park in conjunction with Bristol University and University of the West of England. The land remains undeveloped.

Transport

Emersons Green is 6 miles from the centre of Bristol and 10 miles from Bath. Bristol Parkway and Temple Meads railway stations are both around 6 miles away.

Buses : The 48, 49 and X62 bus services run between Bristol city centre and Emersons Green.

Cycle track : The Bristol & Bath Railway Path is nearby. There is also a route north along the ring road.

Cars: cars are the most common form of transport in and out of Emersons Green. The Bristol ring road borders Emersons Green; however, during the morning rush hour, the ring road heading north/west towards the M32 is congested. This is made worse by the semi-frequent road works on the ring road or the M32 and considerably worse by the 2+ Lane. The effect of the 2+ Lane is essentialy reducing the capacity of a large section of the ring road by 70% because the majority of commuters are alone, so the 2+ Lane has a small trickle of genuine commuters with some lone drivers chancing their luck, whilst the normal lane is nose-to-tail for miles. You can travel south onthe ring road to get into the centre using the A4 although this also gets congested.

Tax: A taxi from the city centre to Emersons Green does vary with the time and company, but at pub closing time expect the fare to be around £20-£25.

Pubs and Bars

There are three pubs in Emersons Green, these are [http://www.britishpubguide.com/cgi-bin/pubsearch.cgi?results:Gloucestershire:874 The Emersons Green Beefeater] , [http://www.britishpubguide.com/cgi-bin/pubsearch.cgi?results:Gloucestershire:4174 The Langley Arms] ,and [http://www.britishpubguide.com/cgi-bin/pubsearch.cgi?results:Gloucestershire:2002 The Mill House] . Just the other side is of the A4174 is [http://www.britishpubguide.com/cgi-bin/pubsearch.cgi?results:Gloucestershire:187 The Folly] , which pre-dates the Emersons Green development and so has traditionally been seen as on the outskirts of Downend even though its postal address is now Emersons Green.

Emersons Green suffers from a lack of variety of a pub/bistro in the central shopping area (Sainsburies/Dominos area). The only pub in this area is The Mill House. There is undoubtedly scope for a more up market pub or bistro, offering music, sensibly priced drinks and a more lively and professional atmosphere.

Eating

*Botellino's Pizza
*Domino's Pizza
*Say Pasta

hopping

There are large retailers at the Emersons Green retail village, including :
*Sainsbury's
*Boots Chemist
*Lidl
*Argos
*Brantano

Library

The library is near Sainsbury's supermarket.

[http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&ss=yp.emersons%20green~yp.%60&cp=51.490041~-2.481451&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=4245614&sp=Point.sk1ffyh0fq40_Emersons%20Ave%2c%20Hextable%2c%20Swanley%20BR8%207%2c%20United%20Kingdom___]

chools

Emersons Green Primary School; Mangotsfield Primary School (see website www.mangotsfieldprimary.org)

Community

Emersons Green Community Association [http://www.egca.co.uk/]

Future

A new area of housing and business is planned for the Green Belt area east of the A4174 ring road.

A park and ride is planned; questions remain as to whether it will be developed on council land, or as previously agreed on developer-owned land.

External links

[http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/image_galleries/emersons_green_city_views_gallery.shtml?1 BBC gallery]