News / Transport
Campaigners claim plans for new traffic-free route being ‘blocked’ by council
Campaigners believe that proposals for a new walking and cycling route in south Bristol are being “blocked” by the city council’s transport department.
Progress is currently stalled on the future of Brislington Greenway, also known as The Tramway, which could be a kilometre-long traffic-free route.
The former railway cutting has been unused for decades but a planning application was submitted by Meanwhile Creative in June to install 50 shipping containers that would become office space.
is needed now More than ever
Meanwhile Creative would work with Greenways and Cycleroutes – the organisation behind the new Ashton Court Greenway – who have submitted a second planning application to open Brislington Greenway at the same time.
In a recent blog post, Bristol Cycling Campaign said: “This fantastic opportunity finally seems within reach, but reading between the lines, it seems it is being blocked by the transport department who would rather have all their options on the table for infrastructure solutions for the A4.
“This is the most likely explanation for why it is taking so long to make a decision. The authorities have been using the Callington road link as an excuse for not doing something here for over ten years and the risk is the path goes unused for many more years while they decide what to do with it.
“The fact the route and Tramway scheme is interim/temporary in nature means there’s very few reasons to refuse. With the council urgently needing to reduce traffic and support active travel, this seems too much of a good opportunity to pass.”
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “These applications remain under consideration at this stage, ahead of appearing at a forthcoming planning committee meeting, while we continue to move forward our ambitious priority to deliver a mass transit public transport system that would provide a real alternative to the car for Bristol.
“Consultation on mass transit is due to take place next month and we encourage everyone to have their say and help us to create a more connected city with cleaner air and less barriers to jobs, education, and each other.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more:
- Campaigners fight for Brislington Greenway, not ‘another polluting road’
- ‘You don’t need to be an expert to know more roads lead to more car journeys’
- The top secret nuclear bunker behind Brislington back gardens
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