News / Transport
Row over conflict resolution lollipop ladies
A row has broken out about funding for a project which could see lollipop ladies trained in conflict resolution between cyclists and drivers.
George Ferguson has criticised national newspapers for reporting that the city council will be funding the £10,000 Road Sharing Restorative Approach project run by charity Bristol Mediation.
The money, which will be used to consult road users, hold a conference and produce a report on solutions to conflict on the roads, has been granted by the council’s Safer Bristol arm, but has been funded by the police commissioner.
The row broke out after Bristol Mediation’s Annali Grimes said that one possible outcome of the project might be “to station mediators on roads to calm people down, or perhaps to teach lollypop ladies conflict resolution skills”.
She was commenting after the conflict resolution and mediation charity announced they would be holding their consultation from November to February.
The group said: “Bristol is well known for its clogged streets and air pollution problems, as cars, bikes, buses, taxis and lorries compete with each other on its narrow congested roads
“Disabled road users and pedestrians have a hard time too. These issues can lead to a lot of conflict and ‘road rage’.”
The plans were widely criticised by cyclists and driving lobbies as a waste of money. And the council later sought to clarify they would not be funding the scheme directly.
Hi Ben @BenCollinsStig I’ve now checked this out. V sloppy @Telegraph journo. It’s consultation by @SaferBristol NOT @BristolCouncil funded
— George Ferguson (@GeorgeFergusonx) September 30, 2015
After reports were circulated in the national press, including The Telegraph, the council said: “It’s important to clarify that this project has not been funded by the city council.
“The funding comes from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, from her £225k Community Safety Grant, which was granted to the Safer Bristol partnership with a view to issuing a series of grants to local projects aimed at addressing community safety issues.
“Bristol Mediation’s Road Sharing Restorative Approach project was one of these projects and has been awarded £10,000 of the PCC’s funding by Safer Bristol.
“The £10,000 was therefore technically administered by Bristol City Council on behalf of Safer Bristol, but the funding was not provided by Bristol City Council.”
A spokesman added: “There are no outcomes at this time, as per suggestions in incorrect national reports of funding being used to ‘train lollipop ladies in mediation’.”
is needed now More than ever
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
