News / Transport
More protests against council road schemes
Civil disobedience appears to be rife in Bristol as protesters continue their campaigns against the mayor and his road traffic schemes.
Twenty-mile-per-hour signs have become the latest victims of vandalism after shiny new residents’ parking meters were filled with expanding foam in Montpelier last week.
The acts of “resistance” have taken place against a backdrop of street protests to prevent the council installing the latest residents’ parking zone in Montpelier.
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Streets have been barricaded in East Grove, while individuals have been kicking over cones used to mark out where new parking bays are due to painted.
Some of the protesters, who have become the scourge of council contractors painting lines, also allege to have been assaulted in their mission to obstruct – with the latest telling Bristol24/7 he was punched in the head and had his phone stamped on.
The council has said vandalism of parking meters is costing “thousands” of pounds to taxpayers every time.
The latest claims of assaults by council contractors came on Monday afternoon from vociferous anti-RPZ campaigner Paul Saville.
He said he was engaging in “resistance” by knocking over cones when his bike was grabbed, he was punched in the head by a contractor and his phone was stamped on. “I know I can be a difficult customer but I don’t think it right I be assaulted,” he said.
Contractors also claim Saville assaulted them and police are investigating both sides.
The alleged assaults follow a similar claim from a protester last week, reported by BBC Radio Bristol.
A police spokesperson said: “We were called to Shaftesbury Avenue, Montpelier, at 1pm on June 22 by a man working on the residents’ parking zone scheme, who claimed to have been assaulted by a protestor.
“The protestor has made the same allegation against the contractor. No arrests were necessary and we are currently taking statements from witnesses to establish what happened.”
The city council said: “There have been a number of minor incidents in different areas of Montpelier since contractors started installing the residents parking scheme.
“We are aware that a further incident occurred on June 22 between a member of the public and a contractor; the matter has been referred to the police.
“We are determined to continue building the scheme for the Montpelier residents who are keen to see it introduced as quickly as possible.”
Bristol24/7 also contacted the council about the latest acts of vandalism on signs and parking meters, but is yet to receive a reply.
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