Clifton Village traders unite to pan pedestrianisation plans

More than 100 traders from across Clifton Village have joined forces to write a letter to local residents warning of “irrevocable change” if the part-closure of Princess Victoria Street to cars is not reversed.

The traders have united in opposition to a scheme that they claim has driven a large number of shoppers to go elsewhere.

“This has had a substantial and negative impact on a great number of traders, both large and small from every corner of the village,” says the letter, signed by 114 different businesses from Clifton Cobbler to the Co-Op.

Local councillors, however, say that by taking away a limited number of parking spaces in a small section of Princess Victoria Street, the road has never been more vibrant.

Listen to JP van Hoeve from About Face on Princess Victoria Street talk to Ian Downs in the latest episode of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:

Van Hoeve says that Princess Victoria Street “is pretty much dead” since pedestrianisation was introduced.

The letter to residents is pinned to several of the windows of his gift shop as well as on the counter for customers to pick up.

Van Hoeve estimates that his takings have dropped by around 20 per cent since nearby parking spaces were removed.

“People just don’t know how to drive into Clifton Village anymore so a lot of them will give up after three or four tries,” he told the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast, saying that people who shop or use the pharmacy on the street cannot be expected to arrive by bicycle or a bus that does not cross the Suspension Bridge from their homes in North Somerset.

Another shopkeeper on Princess Victoria Street, DBM Wines co-owner Richard Davies, added: “The main problem is that they have made it very clear to people who are not locals, don’t come here.

“Our councillors have said, ‘don’t worry, it will bed in, it will get better’, but of course with businesses, we’re paying the highest rates in Clifton because this is the shopping street.

“We’re seeing turnover drop and costs going up. After two months, what we’re seeing as businesses is not getting better. What are we supposed to do? Just sit there and go, ‘oh well’?”

JP van Hoeve outside his shop, About Face – photo: Martin Booth

DBM Wines co-owner Richard Davies helped collect traders’ signatures for the letter – photo: Martin Booth

Clifton Village is represented by two Green Party councillors, Paula O’Rourke and Katy Grant.

In an email to Bristol24/7, O’Rourke said: “Post-pandemic, shopping habits have changed greatly, with many more people choosing to shop online. As a consequence, high streets all over the country are suffering, with regular news announcements of shops closing.

“I believe that we need to create an attractive streetscape to entice people back out into the shops. I believe that what we are doing in Clifton will benefit the whole area for residents, traders and for visitors.

“We have removed about 12 parking spaces. There are still areas for people to park within a five- or ten-minute walk of Princess Victoria Street…

“It is great to see the cycle racks always full and to see the street so vibrant with visitors who have obviously been able to get to the Village by walking, cycling or by public transport.

“There are sensors checking footfall and the signs so far are good. By taking away the parked cars and the stream of traffic through the street looking for a parking spot, we have made the street seem more open.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVfMiSKo6Bl/

O’Rourke and Grant have now written to local residents themselves, taking issue with many of the claims in the letter from traders.

Grant added: “COP26 is showing us how urgently we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

“The pedestrianisation of Princess Victoria Street is just one of many schemes across the country designed to encourage more active travel – walking and cycling – and more use of public transport.

“Even though these changes are often controversial, evidence shows that they tend to work out well for residents, visitors and businesses.”

Bollards prevent cars from accessing Princess Victoria Street from Regent Street – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: ‘Traffic filters will create more liveable neighbourhoods’

Listen to Paula O’Rourke speak about the Princess Victoria Street pedestrianisation plans in episode 11 of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: