News / The Downs
Call for cars to be banned from the Downs during summer weekends
Cars could be banned from the Downs on weekends over the summer if there is enough public support for it.
A petition has been launched by resident Mark Marshall proposing to restrict vehicle parking and access to Circular Road, leading up to the area, from 8am Saturday to 8am Monday during the summer months.
The restrictions would stop vehicles entering or parking along the road – near the so-called Sea Wall – from its junction with Ladies Mile and Ivywell Road.
is needed now More than ever
Tour buses and service vehicles would still be granted access to Circular Road at all times.
Residents would also still be able to access their properties.
Map of the roads around the Downs. Image from Google Maps
If the petition, which is available on Bristol City Council’s website, garners enough support then it could eventually be put before the full council to debate.
However, currently not a single person has put down their name.
And with the closing date less than two months away, the petition still has a long way to go to reach the 3,500 signatures to spark a debate.
Even if it does reach the debate stage, that doesn’t guarantee the proposals would come into force – that would be up to the council to decide.
Mr Marshall said his call for “car-free weekends” would prevent cars from double parking on the downs – which he says is dangerous “especially for children playing”.
He added: “There are plenty of areas to park away with access to the downs, but the viewpoint on Clifton Down is the most visited area and should be kept as uncongested as possible.
“This would also stop boy racers using the downs as a racetrack.”
Would you support a car-free Downs at weekends?
Kate Wilson is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.
Read more: ‘The case for bespoke co-designed residents parking schemes’
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