Protesters oppose RPZs on North Street

Protesters gathered on North Street on Tuesday afternoon to oppose the mayor’s resident parking zones, which look set to come into play in the area soon. There was no sign of mayor George Ferguson, who lives on the top floor of the Tobacco Factory. 

Jo Benton lives on North Street as well and strongly opposes the scheme, which she says won’t help residents and will kill local businesses. “The mayor is so short-sighted about money rather than community. And he’s the one that lives down here!

“He’s alright because he’s got Aldi car park and his own private parking, but everyone else is absolutely stuffed!

“It’s not going to help the businesses or the residents whatsoever. If they do the residents parking from after 5pm in the evening, when everyone needs to park, then it won’t kill the traders and it will help the residents. That’s what it’s meant to be about.

“But if all it’s doing is making money for the council, then re-name it ‘money making scheme for the council!’”

“It’s another form of council tax,” says Derrick Knapman from Lion Stores. “Why should residents pay for a parking permit that they’re not using in the daytime because they use their car to go to work?” 

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We respect the right of residents to have their say regarding the proposed Residents’ Parking Scheme.

“Over the last 12 months representatives from the RPS project team have attended several Bedminster Town Team meetings, individual meetings with Southville businesses and the informal consultation meetings, to provide information and to hear feedback from people wanted.

“The proposals were made available online, in local libraries and via community drop-in sessions; following feedback from local people several changes were made to the design of the scheme in order to develop the final proposals.”

Claire Dadswell runs Glass Designs on North Street and is terrified about the effect the new scheme will have on her business.

“It’s supposed to alleviate people using their cars in the area, but they’ve already stopped one bus route. There’s no alternative public transport that’s been implemented in the area, which should be done before you even consider encouraging people not to use their cars.

“Any business I’ve spoke to that already has a permit in their area, they’ve already seen a big impact on their businesses. It’s terrifying!” 

Alison Hayes spoke to us on behalf of St Francis Church. The church relies on income from renting the space during the day to groups like weight watchers and other classes.

However, Alison tells us that the council won’t allow the church to apply for a permit simply because they are on the ‘wrong side’ of the road. “The whole of North Street, east and west side is designated in the zone, but the zone stops on the pavement,” she explains.

“That means all of the houses, businesses and churches on the west side of North Street are therefore not allowed to purchase the customer or business permits – even though our address is North Street! 

“I’ve contacted the council copiously, trying to point out how illogical that was, and they just said ‘that’s where the line has fallen.’”

Paul Wick from Southville Deli is another local trader who is worried about the effect the new scheme will have on trade.

“I expect my business to be affected, certainly. It will stop people visiting the street from other neighbourhoods and we depend on visitors from other neighbourhoods to support our businesses. It’s not entirely local people who shop here.”