News / Transport
Bollards could be introduced on stretches plagued by ‘disrespectful’ parking
Continued frustration with drivers parking on double yellow lines on busy stretches of Bristol roads has led to pleas for action.
Cheltenham Road and Stapleton Road have both been highlighted as problem areas, with complaints that parked vehicles not only block cyclists, pedestrians and traffic but also create a dangerous hazard.
Bristol’s cabinet member for transport has said he is considering installing bollards on these stretches in a bid to prevent drivers from parking on them but added that this is challenging as pavements still need to be wide enough to accommodate mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
is needed now More than ever
Don Alexander, who is also a Labour councillor for Avonmouth & Lawrence Weston, pledged to clamp down on “disrespectful” drivers in August, when the issue came to a head. Traffic wardens were sent to the area of Cheltenham Road.
But speaking at Bristol Older People’s Forum annual general meeting, Alexander said enforcement doesn’t work.
“It doesn’t matter how many enforcement officers you’ve got – the moment you turn your back, someone else pulls in so you need someone there 24/7,” he told the meeting, blaming people stopping to pick up takeaways.
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Responding to concerns that “terrible parking” on Stapleton Road prevents buses getting through, Alexander continued: ”I’m looking at putting bollards on that bit of pavement opposite those takeaways just to stop those cars physically from getting on there. But, in order to do that, you have got to have a pavement that’s a certain width because you take some element of the pavement so you can’t block it obviously for people in mobility scooters. So, unfortunately, that’s a challenge.”
Changes to the Cheltenham Road and Ashley Road junction have included some pavement widening, but also faced criticism for removing a cycle lane and the use of advanced stop lanes.
A plan of the works that have taken place at the Cheltenham Road and Ashley Road junction, which include the removal of a cycle lane – image: Bristol City Council
Responding to a request for further information on future measures, a council spokesperson said: “We will continue to monitor parking along Cheltenham Road and consider further measures, including physical barriers, in the future if we feel they are needed and there is a solution that works.”
Continued frustration with drivers parking on double yellow lines on busy stretches of Bristol roads has led to pleas for action – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- Crackdown promised on ‘disrespectful parking’
- ‘How can removing cycle lanes ever be justified?’
- ‘I’m not a bus enthusiast, I just like buses’
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