News / Politics
Call for cyclists and pedestrians to temporarily ‘reclaim’ Bristol’s roads
Pedestrians could be allowed to walk along coned-off sections of road as pavements are widened to help social distancing under plans being considered by Bristol City Council.
Green councillors are calling on the local authority to temporarily “reclaim” roads for walkers and cyclists struggling to keep two metres apart during the coronavirus lockdown, including shutting some residential areas to through-traffic.
The Labour administration says it was already investigating the ideas but that vehicle access is vital to ensuring essential supplies can get through to vulnerable people in isolation.
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Green group leader Eleanor Combley said she had emailed mayor Marvin Rees and cabinet member for transport Kye Dudd urging them to take space from cars to extend pedestrian space in busy areas and near shops, filter traffic near people’s homes and temporarily widen cycle lanes.
She said cities around the world were taking similar measures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eleanor Combley says providing more road space for pedestrians and cyclists would help keep people safe. Photo courtesy of Bristol Green group
Combley said: “We should do everything in our power to keep people safe. During this crisis, it is important that we do everything we can to reduce the burden on the NHS.
“We can do that by keeping people safe and preventing road traffic accidents. And we can also help slow the spread of Covid-19 by ensuring people have the space to move around for exercise or essential shopping at a safe distance from each other.
“That is why I am calling on Bristol City Council to take temporary measures to make more space available to pedestrians and cyclists and reduce crowding.
“Cities across the world are already doing this, from Auckland to Winnipeg and from Berlin to Bogota, and in the UK Transport for London and other councils are already actively considering what can be done. We should do everything in our power to keep people safe.”
In response, Dudd, a Labour councillor for the city’s central ward, said: “Like all responsible politicians, I want to echo Marvin’s thanks to all Bristolians who are staying home to slow the spread of the coronavirus and save lives.
“Our streets are much safer and quieter as a result for people taking their daily exercise, with air pollution much reduced, while our inspiring NHS and other key workers continue to move around Bristol.
“After Marg Hickman and other Labour councillors raised this idea weeks ago, I directed transport officers to investigate where such measures might be necessary and feasible.
“However, road access is important to ensure essential supplies are provided to people being shielded, are accessible for all and that we do not cause unforeseen consequences that damage our ability to support everyone through this pandemic.
“Like other cities, we are exploring how we might continue to build on the success of our school streets closures.
“Once the lockdown is lifted, and as Bristol recovers and rebuilds, we will continue to work to make our streets safer, improve walking and cycling, and make public transport more reliable and affordable.”
Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Read more: ‘We need to make the changes we’d like to keep after lockdown’
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