East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial could still start before end of 2023

Bristol’s mayor and his cabinet member for transport have stressed that nobody will be charged for driving into or out of the proposed East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area, no streets will be completely closed to traffic, and emergency services will be able to access all roads.

“It has been disappointing to see some misinformation circulated about the pilot scheme, including by actors from outside the area and outside the city,” wrote Marvin Rees in his latest mayoral blog, where he revealed the trial is still set to start “this winter” – which could potentially mean either before the end of 2023 or the start of 2024.

The proposed Liveable Neighbourhood covers Barton Hill, and parts of Redfield and St George, with an updated map released by Bristol City Council proposing a number of changes to the scheme.

The proposed East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood covers Barton Hill, and parts of Redfield and St George – map: Bristol City Council

“With feedback and consultation still ongoing, no decisions have been made about any final scheme,” said Rees.

“There will be more chances for local people to have their say, including more formal consultation about proposals later this year.

“We still aim to start the trial this winter with some temporary changes being introduced, which will be kept under local review, with more opportunity for local feedback before anything is made permanent.”

A pocket park close to where Barton Hill Road meets Morley Street is part of the updated plans – photo: Martin Booth

Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, has also written a letter to residents and businesses within the trial area to explain more about the scheme and address some of the concerns.

In his blog, Rees said that “certain levels of change need to be delivered to satisfy the national funding bodies”.

He added: “Some people may think that the potential changes are not worth the investment which would otherwise be lost, and we’re continuing to work with communities to explore this.

“Delivering Liveable Neighbourhoods was a manifesto commitment on which I was re-elected, and we’re taking the time to get it right with this first pilot project.

“It is welcome that now all but one local councillor have expressed their support for the scheme.”

Another pocket park could be located at the end of Victoria Avenue in Redfield – photo: Martin Booth

The updated proposals outlined by Rees and Alexander have been met with a mixed response.

On Twitter, megzigzag said: “I live here and I’m actually in favour of traffic calming but in this model I can’t get to my house from South Bristol. I would have to drive beyond my house and through a load of other roads on the far side of Church Road to come back! That makes no sense.”

On Facebook, Nigel Morris wrote: “In roads where there is insufficient parking it is difficult to see how taking parking spaces away will help the residents; the scheme appears to be an experiment in an area where people will not be aware of the negative aspects and unlikely to object.”

Siobhan Wright added: “There is a huge amount of local support for this, great to see the trial is moving forward.”

Bristol Somali Community Association have previously asked Alexander not to “impose unnecessary” road closures in Barton Hill.

They tweeted: “It’s time to have a proper consultation about the scheme. There’s no way that you start (to) trial the scheme on L. Hill residents while we’re telling you it’s very bad for the area.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Blame game row erupts over delayed liveable neighbourhood plan
• Second liveable neighbourhood paused after opposition
• Residents of major rat-run show support for liveable neighbourhood plans
• Dozens join anti-liveable neighbourhood meeting

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