![\"East](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1_East-Street-in-Bedminster.jpg\")
East Street in Bedminster is home to shops and cafes(Image: Alex Seabrook)<\/p>\nThe street is technically a “pedestrian cycle zone” but the rules are often ignoredEast Street in Bedminster is home to shops and cafes(Image: Alex Seabrook)<\/p>\n
An enforcement camera could soon stop drivers from going down a South Bristol shopping street that has suffered an \u201cunacceptable number of collisions\u201d. East Street in Bedminster<\/a> is designated as a \u201cpedestrian cycle zone\u201d, with drivers banned from using the street during the day.<\/p>\n Signs at the top of East Street say the road can only be used by buses and for loading between 7am and 7pm, and all other motor vehicles are not allowed. The signs also warn \u201cpolice will enforce\u201d these rules \u2014 but drivers can often be spotted flouting the restrictions and driving through the pedestrian zone.<\/p>\n Now Bristol City Council<\/a> is planning to clamp down on drivers breaking the rules. Local businesses were sent a survey asking for their views on changing how shops get deliveries, as well as plans to install a camera that recognises number plates.<\/p>\n In the survey, a council spokesperson said: \u201cEast Street is a pedestrian cycle zone between the hours of 7am \u2013 7pm. This is frequently not observed, resulting in an unacceptable number of collisions in recent years, many of them involving pedestrians and cyclists.<\/p>\n \u201cFor several years East Street has allowed limited access for loading with a van or other goods vehicle. This has been enforced by the police and the council\u2019s parking services.<\/p>\n “We are looking at different options for loading arrangements which will work with the new enforcement camera. This may include a restriction on loading at certain times.\u201d<\/p>\n The shopping street is also a contraflow cycle route, meaning people ride bicycles and scooters in the opposite direction to buses and cars. However the road is frequently not wide enough to allow buses to safely pass bicycles or scooters, causing some to spill out onto the pavement.<\/p>\n The problem of drivers breaking the rules on East Street appeared to get worse<\/a> in 2022, when Malago Road was closed northbound for extensive roadworks. The diversion for drivers heading into the city was windy and circuitous while East Street was a much quicker shortcut.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_East-Street-in-Bedminster.jpg\")
The road is restricted to buses and loading vehicles from 7am to 7pm, in theory(Image: Alex Seabrook)<\/p>\n