‘No poor people allowed’
Signs for the new bus gate on Avonvale Road have already been vandalised(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Two of the signs for new bus gates which are a key part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood have already been vandalised, even before the bus gates have become active.
Someone has sprayed the words ‘No poor people allowed’ over the new council signs, which indicate the presence of one of three bus gates at the junction of Marsh Lane and Avonvale Road in Barton Hill.
The vandalised sign is the one forming a gateway into Barton Hill, which local residents will shortly no longer be able to drive through to reach the council tower blocks of Barton Hill. Motorists approaching from the east will instead be diverted onto Church Road in Redfield and then Lawrence Hill to access that area by private vehicle.
The bus gates are located halfway down Marsh Lane, and then on either side of the junction with Avonvale Road, on the corner next to Banksy’s Valentine’s Day mural.
Bristol City Council has announced that the bus gate cameras will be operational from next Monday, June 2, although for the first few weeks, drivers who are captured on camera driving through the gates without an exemption will be sent a warning letter rather than being fined from the start.
It will mark the start of the six-month pilot scheme of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, with councillors facing a decision at the end of the year whether to keep the measures in place, tweak or alter them in certain areas, or scrap the project entirely.
The graffiti on the signs appeared in the past few days, and has itself been vandalised, with the letter ‘r’ painted over on the sign on the north side of the road, so that it now reads ‘No poo people allowed’, instead.
Bristol City Council declined to comment on the vandalism, and instead directed Bristol Live to comments from Cllr Heather Mack, the deputy leader of Bristol City Council, who said she understood that the changes might be a challenge for some.
Sgns for the new bus gate on Avonvale Road have already been vandalised(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
“There is no doubt that for many people it will be a big change,” she said. “We hope that, in combination with the other trial measures, the bus gates will help to make the streets safer and less polluted.
“By stopping drivers from cutting through residential roads, and by encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter journeys or to use public transport, including the new number 16 bus that goes right through the trial area, local residential streets should be safer and quieter,” she added.
“On top of authorised vehicles, there are a number of other vehicles that can apply for a trial area bus gate exemption, including blue badge holders and people on a low income who need to travel for work who live within the Liveable Neighbourhood boundary.
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“I live in the area myself, and I came and listened to people across the trial area and recognised there was a risk we hadn’t responded to concerns some community members had, especially those on low incomes and disabled people.
“As a result, we have put together a boosted range of travel offers and bus gate exemptions, and I really urge everyone who thinks they could be eligible to check the criteria and apply as soon as possible.
“The travel offers, which include a choice of £250 of First Bus tickets or £150 to spend on a reconditioned bike, are available for households in the trial area who receive certain benefits. This is on top of £100 of First Bus tickets that every household across the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood will receive through the post soon.
“I don’t want anyone to miss out, so please do check if you could apply for one of these boosted offers or a bus gate exemption,” she added.
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