The city council is set to consult on new residents-only permit parking zones
Bristol Live readers have been discussing new resident parking zones that could soon be introduced in certain areas of Bristol to limit where motorists can park. Within these zones, residents with a permit will have the right to park in spaces, thereby preventing commuters who don’t live in the area from parking and then going to work.
The areas under consideration for this scheme include Bishopston, St Andrews, St Werburghs, Ashley Down, Totterdown, Windmill Hill and Bedminster. These were initially part of the original plan but were never implemented. For instance, Totterdown still suffers with commuter parking.
Resident parking schemes were first launched in Bristol over ten years ago. The primary aim is to deter individuals working in the city centre from parking in nearby neighbourhoods.
These new parking zones are being considered as part of the broader South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood project. More details about this initiative are expected next month when the council seeks public opinion on a variety of measures. These could involve transforming some rat runs into cul-de-sacs to prevent traffic from driving through residential areas.
A similar project has already been implemented in the east of the city. Parking pressures are anticipated to affect neighbourhoods near the Downs and the arena site soon. Charges have long been planned for visitors to the Downs, while the arena is set to finally open its doors in 2028. However, it has been pointed out that both of these developments could result in drivers parking on nearby residential roads.
Commenter TheBeater says: “Anywhere in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood needs it now. Barton Hill is a catastrophe from 7-10am and 3-6pm with traffic bottlenecks, a big part due to the commuters parking up all day and blocking road access.”
6470 agrees: “The EBLN has caused the bad traffic. This has removed the traffic from one area and sent it to another thus jamming the road. Is the council going to ask the residents in these streets if they want a parking zone or are they just going to do it like they did with the EBLN?”
Arbs3 thinks: “I hope they don’t miss out Ashton Gate again. Especially now the stadium is an every-day events venue, a new arena and hotel is planned and hundreds of flats with no parking are being built.”
Fishmonster asks: “What about extending the zone in North Bristol, Westbury Park, Henleaze and Sneyd Park where it’s certainly needed?”
Robofbristol complains: “More unnecessary residential parking schemes. Residents end up having to pay to park outside their own house, which historically they could have done without charge. Just another freedom to be removed by BCC. I have lived in both Kingsdown and Easton. Commuters never represented a problem. There was a somewhat symbiotic relationship between residents and commuters. When I left for work in the morning, a commuter would take my space on the road, and when I returned from work in the early evening the commuters would be leaving. No problem! BCC is just anti-car.”
Arbs3 disagrees: “Southville 100% had a commuter problem. Every morning commuters were driving around and around in circles waiting for spaces as near to Gaol Ferry Bridge as possible. The RPZ fixed it, and had it not been applied to all Southville streets then the commuters would have moved to your street. Now it’s Ashton Gate and Bedminster that have this commuter problem, Mon-Fri, on top of the hundreds of flats being built with no parking, daily event parking, and prospect of a new arena.”
Ron Young agrees: “The whole city should have been covered by residents’ parking schemes from the outset, but as per usual the city council was far too timid.”
Arb says: “Ashton Gate has been waiting for this for a long time. Ever since the stadium changed its use from a once-a-fortnight football venue to the ‘South Wests largest events venue’ the streets have become a staff and visitor car park for the near-daily events held there. It’s high time residents, businesses and visitors were protected from this.”
Torycookedsock rertorts: “‘Near daily events?!’ That’s miles from the truth. Introducing resident parking means others have to pay. That will do the opposite of protecting business as many people, like me, will not pay to park to do a bit of a shop or use the cafes and restaurants.”
ReesIsToast thinks: “If it’s anything like the Redland one then they’ll end up paying for a parking permit and still not be able to park anywhere near their house! Ever noticed the way the suburban businesses all close around them though?”
Do you think the new resident parking zones will be a good thing? Have your say in our comments section.