Residents of busy road in Bristol say impact of Clean Air Zone is ‘horrendous’

A steady flow of traffic has been a feature of Ashley Road and Ashley Hill for a number of years, with many drivers commuting to and from Bristol using the road as a gateway to the M32.

However in the last month, residents of the busy junction in St Paul’s have noticed a stark difference in the amount of traffic and pollution levels in the area.

Residents believe that the Clean Air Zone, which came into effect on November 28, has a large part to blame in the increase in traffic.

They believe that drivers are using Ashley Road road to avoid the Clean Air Zone charge around Cabot Circus, which begins on the A4032 towards the Bear Pit, and which also takes drivers into and out of the city via the M32.

Ashley Road has always had a steady stream of traffic, however its connecting road, City Road, located further towards Stokes Croft, remains quiet

Jessie Sweetman, who lives on Ashley Road, told Bristol24/7 that the traffic has been “horrendous” since the first day of the Clean Air Zone.

“The air quality is awful,” said Jessie.

“I’ve lived in different parts of Bristol and the disparity between how much the council seems to care about the people of St Paul’s and say, Clifton or Redland, is shocking.”

Delia Witbread, who lives in flats set back from Ashley Road, agreed. Speaking to Bristol24/7 on an icy morning, she said the road had become much busier during rush hours, and that static cars queuing was making the area more polluted.

“I feel a bit sad about it. There is black pollution coming through the windows. It’s because of the Clean Air Zone.

https://twitter.com/MiaVBBristol247/status/1605155195238875136

“This road is already part of a valley with the most roads in Bristol. These roads can’t deal with this volume of cars. Planning has no idea what is going on.”

“I know they need a Clean Air Zone, but I’m just not entirely sure it’s the best option.”

Ahmed Olow, who owns Soomar Mini Market on the junction between Ashley Hill and Ashley Road, has also noticed an increase in traffic since CAZ was introduced.

“It’s too busy after November 28,” said Ahmed.

“People are avoiding the Cabot Circus road. There is more traffic, especially around rush hour.”

Soomar Mini Market sits on the junction between Ashley Hill and Ashley Road

Bristol City Council denies that traffic flow has increased significantly in the area.

A spokesperson said: “We have not observed any significant changes to traffic flows during the first week of the Clean Air Zone’s operation and we have not received any complaints from residents about traffic levels on Ashley Road.

“We will continue to monitor the impact on all roads now the zone is operational which includes any localised issues caused by motorists looking to avoid the charge.”

“Learning from other Local Authorities with Clean Air Zones, they have not found a displacement of vehicles to be a problem. However, we will have data that captures traffic flow enabling us to see any problems on roads outside of the Clean Air Zone in Bristol.”

“The Clean Air Zone has been introduced because Bristol, along with other cities in the UK, has been directed by government to reduce harmful and illegal levels of air pollution (caused by NO2 emissions) which are mostly produced by older and more polluting vehicles on our roads.”

It has been nearly a month since the Clean Air Zone came into effect in Bristol, so measuring the impact of the scheme in its infancy is still difficult to gauge.

However for residents of Ashley Road, for whom long queues and pollution have become the daily norm, the level of traffic since November is notably different.

All photos: Mia Vines Booth

Read next:

• Rees: New Clean Air Zone could be scrapped if pollution falls
• Is Bristol’s Clean Air Zone far reaching enough to tackle air pollution?
• ‘Bristol wants to see safer streets with less traffic’
• ‘Bristol’s Clean Air Zone is a ruse to maximise council revenue’

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