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Giant art installation to celebrate pedestrianisation of Bristol’s Old City
Organising a photoshoot with the mayor, traders, campaigners, a puppy and some giant tentacles is fairly normal as far as things go in 2020.
The occasion is a celebration of the continued pedestrianisation of the Old City as part of major changes being rolled out across Bristol to improve walking and cycling infrastructure and encourage active travel.
From Monday, St Stephen’s Street and St Nicholas Street will be closed to traffic throughout the day, with the exception of a morning loading window for businesses between 5.30am and 10.30am, Monday to Saturday.
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This follows the pedestrianisation of Clare Street and Corn Street, as well as the closure of Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street to through-traffic.
In true Bristol style, the changes are being celebrated with a giant inflatable art installation of tentacles coming through the windows of the historic Corn Exchange building, which is home to St Nick’s Market, by Designs in Air.
More works by local artists are set to go on display in the near future.
Mayor Marvin Rees with business owners and Dr Suzanne Audrey of Bristol Walking Alliance
“We all need some positive news right now,” says Lilly Drakoulakou, the owner of Playground on St Nicholas Street, who says the changes have made her business viable once more by enabling her to expand capcity.
Like all changes being brought in across the city, the pedestrianisation of Old City will be in place temporarily initially to enable residents, commuters and business owners to give feedback, with plans to make them permanent early in 2021.
Lilly wants the changes to be permanent so she can make investments in the outdoor area of the business.
“Also, we can get some plants and make it prettier and replicate the feeling of old European cities,” adds Lilly.
Owners of Brozen, Joe and Ben Edgerley, and Lilly Drakoulakou of Playground (with puppy Welly) have welcomed the changes
The pedestrianisation of the Old City has been welcomed by people who have been campaigning for better walking and cycling infrastructure, but concerns have been raised by businesses in some areas set to be impacted.
Suzanne Audrey, a member of Bristol Walking Alliance and public health researcher at Bristol University, acknowledges that the speed with which changes have been rolled out has caused some distress among businesses and those reliant on vehicles.
But she welcomes the closure of certain roads to through-traffic and says the measures aren’t anti-driver, but instead have the potential to benefit all.
“The more people can get walking around, the better for their physical and mental health and also to improve the air quality in the city,” she tells Bristol24/7.
The council says four new disabled bays will be added to High Street in the Old City later in the month and an additional disabled bay has already been installed on nearby Queen Charlotte Street.
Disabled bays on Union Street also remain accessible despite the closure of Bristol Bridge to general traffic.
Mayor Marvin Rees (front and centre) hopes the changes will increase footfall in Old City
Speaking about the latest changes, mayor Marvin Rees says: “It has been an immensely challenging year, but we have moved quickly to try and capture the changes that lockdown brought to our air quality by bringing forward major transport improvements.
“I am delighted to announce that the Old City pedestrianisation will be ready for autumn in the next stage of our vision to transform Bristol’s transport network, creating cleaner air, safer and better public transport, and improved walking and cycling routes.
“By giving less space to traffic and more space to the businesses, visitors and shoppers in this historic area, we also look forward to seeing increased footfall to give the traders a boost amid the tough times we are all facing. We are committed to putting people, sustainability and environment at the heart of post-Covid recovery and cleaning up our air in the fastest time possible.”
The alien installation is the first in a series of artworks to celebrate the pedestrianisation of Old City
All photos by Ellie Pipe
Read more: Old City pedestrianisation plans move a step closer
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