Lockleaze residents are set to meet with Bristol City Council to address the "dangerous" speeding in their area. The residents took action on Saturday, April 30 as part of their campaign with community union Acorn, which has been going on for more than a year.
The Grand-Prix themed day saw children compete in egg and spoon, musical statues, and slow races. ACORN members and supporters also shared their messages to the council's cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, who they are set to meet next week. But a council spokesperson said works will begin this summer on sustainable transport improvements along Muller Road that will help traffic in the area.
Katie Hook joined the Acorn a month ago, and said: "I suffer from epilepsy and I get paranoid about being around speeding cars on the road because of my fits. It's also frustrating that my kids can't play outside because it's so dangerous. Also, I want to protect our beautiful wildlife in the area and make Lockleaze safe for children and people with disabilities.
Read more: Residents urge council to solve 'scary' speeding issue in Lockleaze
“I joined ACORN because together we can make a difference for everyone. I’m hoping after today Councillor Don Alexander will decide to take action to stop people speeding, because one day they’re going to end up killing somebody."
A number of housing developments in Lockleaze are currently in the pipeline, and residents have also argued that more infrastructure must be created to deal with a growing population. But Don Alexander previously told Bristol Live that it would take a significant amount of time for speeding problems to be solved in the suburb, and that another meeting might not be helpful as he had already spoken to residents in September 2021.
He said in March 2022: "I've taken on board what they said to me but given the timeline of transport projects, there's nothing new to say to them given transport projects tend to take years rather than weeks and months. Coming to see me again would do nothing to add to it."
He added that the council has put things in place to address transport in Lockleaze and said: "We are working in various areas of Lockleaze, but it's months and years to do infrastructure projects, not weeks". He also said that in terms of speeding, he told Lockleaze residents in September 2021 that they should report law breakers to the police.
"It's not short term to change infrastructure, the short term solution is to go to police and tell them people are breaking the law," he said. However, residents are persistent in their calls for change, as they say that speeding is a regular occurence in the neighbourhood.
ACORN spokesperson Adrian Andrew said: “After living here for over 20 years and continually seeing more and more speeding and dangerous driving in our area, I am really looking forward to this meeting with the Council, as it is the best chance we have of getting something done after two years of campaigning. The residents in this area deserve to be able to travel in safety, no matter how they choose to do so."
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council previously said: "A number of transport initiatives have been approved to meet the needs of new homes being built following investment in the regeneration of Lockleaze. Construction of a fully accessible off-road walking and cycling route that links Cheswick Village to Lockleaze and Purdown began in November 2021 and is due to be finished in Autumn 2022.
“Works will begin this summer on sustainable transport improvements along Muller Road which will see new bus lanes, upgraded accessible bus stops, the closure of Springfield Avenue, Draycott Road and Brent Road to through traffic to reduce ‘rat-running’, improve walking and cycling journeys and road safety, along with the introduction of traffic signals and pedestrian crossing to the junction with Ralph Road.
"A second phase of works along Muller Road, south of Shaldon Road, is being redesigned following initial consultation. This second phase will be reviewed again later in 2022 and discussed with local stakeholders when ready.”
