‘Already it’s made a huge difference to this area’Angaharad Hughes in her St George Bristol neighbourhood, Tuesday 3 June 2025 , where she is in favour of the new East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.Angaharad Hughes in her St George Bristol neighbourhood, Tuesday 3 June 2025 , where she is in favour of the new East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

People living in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood say they have already noticed a positive change in their streets, as the six-month trial period officially begins.

The controversial road scheme has been delayed by protests with many people in parts of the area campaigning against the creation of different zones for vehicle drivers with roads blocked off to cars and bus gates installed.

But while those against the scheme, particularly in the Barton Hill end of the EBLN area, have been vocal in their opposition, many others say they are supportive and have already noticed a difference.

The most recent focus of the arguments against the EBLN were centred around Avonvale Road and Marsh Lane, where three bus gates have been installed to only allow buses, taxis, exempt vehicles and bikes.

Pete Brooks lives on Avonvale Road and said the road outside his home has been ‘dominated’ by car drivers.

“Prior to the trial infrastructure being installed, this area felt like the most dangerous place for cycling that I have ever lived,” said Pete, who doesn’t drive but cycles to work and into the city daily.

“I grew up in Bristol, I’ve lived in Nottingham, Singapore, London and Bristol – yet this is the area where I have witnessed the most reckless and aggressive driving.

“Since the trial infrastructure has been installed, I have felt much more relaxed cycling around. I don’t feel like I need to be hypervigilant and watch every corner for speeding cars.

“This area feels dominated by traffic, and the response by some drivers to the EBLN is scary. Seeing drivers cutting over pavements and tyre tracks over graves makes me fearful of how drivers will act, especially in rush hour traffic. I don’t feel safe cycling on Avonvale Road or Marsh Lane, so I now take a tricky off-road route instead,” he added.

Over in Redfield and St George, on the terraced streets between the main Church Road and Netham Park and Avonview Cemetery, residents there have had a few months to get used to roads blocked and people not being able to drive through the area.

READ MORE: Anger over new bus gates as residents in Bristol suburb say council has ‘failed in duty of care’READ MORE: Bus gate cameras for East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood are vandalised

Angharad Hughes drives a car and is a blue badge holder, and is one of many in her street who have put posters up in support of the EBLN in their front windows.

“Having a car is really helpful as I can’t walk too far. I do take the bus but I drive quite frequently,” she said. “It hasn’t affected me too much in terms of driving around – I can still drive out onto Church Road and if I’m going down to the Feeder then I have to go a different route.

“I understand that there are people who are more adversely affected by changes in their area, I know that at the Barton Hill end they might have some things they want to change about it, but I’m glad it’s in place now so that we can all see what the overall effect is.

Part of the EBLN

“Already it’s made a huge difference to this area. There’s an obvious increase in calm. People are a lot less aggressive when they drive around.

“Before, people come down these roads very quickly, people drove with a lot of aggression. I’ve seen three cats run over in my road, and we have a road full of children here – it really was an accident waiting to happen.

“Sometimes I am a little bit slow crossing the road and I’ve had drivers shouting at me, screaming at me. I’ve even been hit by a fizzy drink thrown from a car. But now it’s a lot less aggressive around here,” she added.