News / Bearpit
Bearpit reopens after five week closure
Colourful floral displays hang over newly-scrubbed walls that were once coated in graffiti in the centre of the Bearpit.
“Let’s see how long it lasts,” comments one passer-by, gazing around the sunken roundabout in the heart of the city that reopened on Friday following a five week closure, prompted by “escalating anti-social behaviour”.
As contractors clear away the last of the imposing metal fences that have kept the thoroughfare out of bounds since June 19, many people pause to take in the clean new space. Some express delight at the transformation, others are cynical of how long it will last.
is needed now More than ever
https://www.facebook.com/bristol247/videos/469984387189211/?eid=ARDRRIWYgoyuoM80E1K9ZYQG2HwEMgZ25npJneTHc20G96vhbFXP7TRw_k3vBf_B0fSzYABates8LYNn
“What the fuck has happened here?” exclaims one woman, surveying the new hanging baskets in disgust. “It was much better as it was before,” she added, before carrying on her way through the white-washed subway to the coach station.
……………………………………
Read more: Mayor to take action over ‘toxic’ Bearpit situation
……………………………………
The double decker bus and shipping containers that were most recently occupied by squatters have gone, as has almost all graffiti and street art. Ursa the Bearpit bear remains in place, as does the vibrant mural painted on one wall looking towards Stokes Croft and another etched on the ground, which incorporates the words ‘dignity, respect, kindness, love’.
The closure and clean-up operation has cost Bristol City Council around £250,000 in total, plus the additional expense to the police, Bristol Waste and other agencies involved.
The newly-cleaned Bearpit reopened on Friday morning
The Bearpit in June, just before the council closed it to the public
A council spokesperson said: “After an escalation of crime and violent incidents we closed the Bearpit so we could do an intensive clean-up project which included waste and specialist drug paraphernalia removal and re-painting of tagged walls.
“We have also planted greenery and flowers. All of this work has been undertaken to turn the space around from one that had become dangerous and intimidating for people to use to a welcoming area where residents and visitors can pass through safely.
“We are pleased to reopen it, but this exercise has come at a considerable cost to the taxpayer and will continue to be costly if it’s not maintained by all who use it.”
Contractors take away the last of the fences that surrounded the Bearpit
Speaking about the future of the Bearpit, the spokesperson added: “Along with our partners in the police, we will monitor and challenge negative behaviour and, if necessary, we will prosecute those who choose to vandalise and disrespect the area.”
Welcoming the move, police chief inspector Mark Runacres said: “The council’s decision to reopen the St James Barton roundabout area is positive news for the local community.
“We will continue to support the authority in managing the area but should any further issues of anti-social behaviour arise, will take the same robust action against offenders as we did before.”
The council said escalating anti-social behaviour led to the closure of the Bearpit
Read more: Squatters kicked out of Bearpit as council clamps down
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
