Plans to put a new bicycle rack outside an old church have sparked fury among churchgoers who said the rack would “block access for hearses”. The planned covered bike rack was slammed as a “flagrant act of vandalism” that would also block views of the 18th-century building.
The bike rack is planned for the top of Broad Street, in the city centre, outside Christ Church with St Ewen. The current Grade-II listed building was constructed between 1786 and 1791 but the medieval church had been running services for several centuries before then.
Last week Bristol City Council workmen were spotted installing temporary fences around a space in front of the church, sparking concern. Conservative councillors have also criticised the “deluded secularists” in City Hall for making access by car increasingly difficult.
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Jonathan Price, church master of music, said: “I was simply horrified by what the council workmen said they were creating. I asked one of the team who was expected to use the covered cycle rack, and he replied, ‘nobody’.
“Christ Church needs clear access here for hearses bringing bodies for funerals, bridal cars and for our infirm and disabled worshippers. Even the current bollards on the street edge spoil the view of our lovely Grade-II listed church. With an ugly cycle rack here, it will be much, much worse.”
The council has since agreed to move the bike rack further down the street. The bike rack forms part of a wider plan to reduce motor traffic in the surrounding area in the Old City, in a bid to make the area safer for walking and cycling.
As well as the new bike rack, roadworks are expected to begin this September to install barriers and cameras checking number plates. This will make temporary measures introduced during the pandemic permanent.
Churchgoer and Conservative Councillor Richard Eddy said: “When I heard of the council plans outside Christ Church, I was aghast that the local authority intended to despoil this Grade-II listed building by a flagrant act of vandalism.
“Over the last six years, worshippers at Christ Church have seen Sunday parking charges imposed on them; the repeated refusal of the council to allow strictly limited parking for the congregation; road closures; and the designation of the Clean Air Zone surrounding the church.”
A more suitable location for the bike rack, Cllr Eddy suggested, would be around the corner on Wine Street. The pavement there is much wider than on Broad Street, with a long stretch of building without any entrances, so the bike rack wouldn’t be blocking any kind of access.
Cllr Eddy added: “Now we have this hare-brained scheme to erect a cycle rack outside the church. It seems the deluded secularists of the city council are determined to close the church. If there is a demand for a cycle rack nearby, there is a wide and ample pavement only yards away on Wine Street. Why wasn’t this considered by the council?
“The council has a statutory obligation to ensure physical structures in a sensitive conservation area such as this — especially those abutting a listed church — enhance the character of the conservation area, and certainly do not harm it. The council has failed to communicate with the property owners affected by its proposals. I have emailed Adam Crowther, head of city transport, and members of his team are looking into our complaints.”
After receiving criticism about the planned location, the council has agreed to move the bike rack further down the street. The new location should allow more space for vehicles like hearses. The council also previously consulted the public about its plans but did not receive any comments or complaints about the bike rack.
Labour Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “I met with officers on site to consider feedback and options for the planned cycle parking stand at the top of Broad Street, and asked for it to be moved. It has now been agreed that it will be installed two metres closer to the existing planters.
“This will allow more room for vehicles that need to stop close to the church and will mean the cycle parking stands won’t obstruct the church door. As part of the works to install the new cycle parking stand, the bollards currently in the road outside the church door will also be moved.”
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