More than 2,000 people have signed a petition against the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood plans, which could see bollards and planters installed in Southville
One of many South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood consultation events, at the Southville Centre on Tuesday, September 30(Image: Bristol Post)
Bristol Live readers are in sympathy with residents in Southville say they already walk and cycle “probably more than other parts of Bristol,” yet many remain strongly opposed to a proposed liveable neighbourhood scheme.
More than 2,000 campaigners have signed a petition urging Bristol City Council to “Stop Southville Roadblocks,” arguing that planned bollards and planters will restrict access and make everyday travel more difficult. Under the plans, a number of Southville streets could see the introduction of modal filters such as planters, bollards or bus gates that allow pedestrians and cyclists through while blocking cars and vans.
With just a week left in the council’s public consultation on the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood project, councillors met on October 23 to discuss the issue.
Alison Bramall, who lives on Stackpool Road, told the meeting: “I cycle to north Bristol for work, my husband walks to work, my daughter takes the bus to college, and my son walks to secondary school. You might think I would be the ideal supporter of the council’s liveable neighbourhood proposals, and yet here I am, the lead petitioner for the Stop Southville Roadblocks campaign.
“The council kept saying ‘you asked for this, we consulted you and this is what you wanted’. You asked us if we liked trees, nice public spaces, and if we did not like speeding cars and pollution. You never said ‘do you want your streets blocked up’, nor ‘would you like to not be able to access your local shops easily by car’. This is not what we asked for.”
Ms Bramall and others say the plans ignore key issues identified in earlier consultations, such as speeding, parking shortages and unsafe crossings. They are calling instead for traffic calming, improved cycling routes and safer pedestrian access.
The wider South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood project stretches from Ashton Vale to Totterdown and includes new resident parking zones to prevent commuter parking near Ashton Gate. However, the Southville section has proved the most divisive. Critics, including councillors from Labour and the Conservatives, say the filters could affect emergency access and increase congestion on nearby main roads such as North Street and Coronation Road.
Some have called for a public referendum to decide whether the scheme should go ahead. Green councillors say the initiative aims to cut traffic and encourage walking, cycling and public transport use, a shift they say is essential to stop Bristol becoming completely gridlocked.
Commenter V says: “North Street is thriving and accessible for everyone right now. But since you blocked East Street to cars and added a two way cycle lane, cyclists now approach pedestrians from both directions which is frightening and completely unexpected. Disabled people who used to park outside the shops they wanted have been pushed out and East Street feels dead with more empty shops than open ones. Please listen to public opinion, thank you”
Malagogogirl replies: “North Street will still be accessible . What you say about East Street being dead is completely untrue – it’s boom-time there. The new housing nearby has re-energised the place..”
Muttsnuts is unhappy: “This council is going to force this through just like they did with the one in the Barton Hill area. The council hates cars and will do anything to make life harder for drivers. Its all about control. They want to force people out of their cars and onto totally impractical bicycles. Who wants that?”
Malagogogirl retorts: “No-one is being forced out of their car. Motorists can still drive anywhere in the area.”
Redfieldresident is not convinced: “Yes, provided they don’t have a problem driving an extra mile and a half in nose to tail traffic, spending half as much again in petrol, losing 30-45 more precious minutes out of their daily lives to commuting and having to visit their GP for antidepressants because of the stress of having to live in what now feels like a controlled prison. Welcome to my new life in the EBLN. You’re going to just love it.”
TalbotHill thinks: “Councillors need to be brought to book over this. There was no thinking outside the box in setting up the East Bristol Scheme and now more issues are appearing. There doesn’t appear to have been any consideration of what’s happening in the Dings, Avon Street or along Feeder Road where a new set of four pedestrian/cyclist crossing lights are soon to be installed at Netham Lock. What neighbouring areas outside of the South Bristol scheme will be affected?”
Figaro1785 writes: “So, the petitioners could- eloquently, as it happens- raise their concerns at the October transport and connectivity committee meeting. ‘If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it’ seems the main message conveyed. Joined with the responses from the final consultation at Totterdown, BCC now has direct, strong and purposeful community views which would be at its peril to ignore, if it wants to avoid a repeat of EBLN.”
Katiem points out: “This is not going to stop people having cars. We need to move around the city and escape from it. It is delusional to think that people do not need cars. You need them to have a life outside of an urban area. The issue is the number of people you are trying to stick into a small area. If you triple the number of people you could triple the number of vehicles.”
What are your thoughts on the new liveable neighbourhood plans? Do you think they’ll make Bristol a better place to live? Share your views in the comments section.