Bristol locals have slammed plans for a 'liveable neighbourhood' as "discriminatory" against people with mobility issues and families with young children. A public meeting was held in Barton Hill tonight (July 4) for residents affected by the new proposals to meet with organisers.
Plans for the liveable neighbourhood scheme were unveiled this year. Motor traffic would be proposed to be banned from driving through several roads in Barton Hill, Redfield and St George from this autumn, in a bid to prevent rat-running and traffic in residential areas to make cycling and walking safer.
Residents have previously raised concerns about the East Bristol scheme, with some locals worrying about access for disabled people and people who may rely on their cars. Speaking in a public meeting in Barton Hill, one resident said she does consider the scheme "discriminatory".
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One mum told the meeting: "I am totally in favour of improving cycle routes, totally in favour of reducing traffic in principle - but I do have a six-year-old daughter. She's not yet old enough to cycle, I have to put her in a car." She continued: "I think it is discriminatory to people with mobility issues and people with children of a certain age."
Several people attending the meeting applauded as she spoke, seeming to agree with the parent. "I do really think that improving the cycle routes - whenever I can cycle, I do," she said, holding up a bike helmet. "Improving cycling along the river, making way for bikes - I do think these things are important but I think it's fairly clear to me what the point of contention is. It's been said very clearly, we feel like we are going to be excluded from the city and from certain areas."
Restrictions for motor vehicles will be implemented on Avonvale Road, Barnes Street, Beaufort Road, Cobden Street, Cossham Road, Ducie Road, Glebe Road, Great Western Lane, Kingsmarsh Way, Lincoln Street, Marsh Lane, Morton Street, the Avenue, and Victoria Avenue. Many of these will comprise large wooden planters placed on the road. The trial is due to get underway in the autumn and will be evaluated before a decision is made on making the restriction permanent.
Residents also showed concern for accessing certain streets and areas as a result of the road restrictions. Locals living inside the trial area will still be able to drive to their homes, and access will remain for emergency service vehicles and delivery drivers.
One resident previously told BristolLive they were concerned about increased congestion in the area. “By displacing traffic, the plans will cause a substantial increase in congestion on the already busy Church Road, and furthermore it will create new congestion on the current free-flowing Summerhill Road, and possibly also Crews Hole Road," they said.
“Over the years there have been numerous instances where Beaufort Road has been shut off for a period of time for various reasons — a playing out event where the street is shut off to motor vehicles only a few months ago being one example. The knock-on effect has always been a highly congested Church Road, and new congestion on Summerhill Road.”
Liveable neighbourhoods have already been introduced in other parts of the country. Oxford, Bath and London have schemes in place, but they proved controversial and some residents protested.
A Bristol City Council spokesman previously said: “We are excited to present our plans for the trial scheme that will help make Barton Hill and parts of Redfield and St George quieter, safer and healthier places to live and spend time. The trial will take place from autumn 2023 and will see a series of measures installed.
“Measures include modal filters, bus gates, pocket parks, changes to one-way and two-way traffic flow, cycle hangars and trees in large planters. We will be installing 10 cycle hangars across the area as part of the trial and will be contacting nearby households about their locations. Once the exact locations have been agreed, residents can sign up to use them.”
