News / East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood
Council committed to Liveable Neighbourhood trial despite protests
While some residents in Redfield have praised the improvements on their street thanks to the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial, in nearby Barton Hill the installation of the scheme has been met with protests.
A petition asking for an immediate halt to the scheme also received more than 3,500 signatures.
But Bristol City Council bosses say they are committed to installing the remaining infrastructure so a six-month trial can take place followed by an evaluation to see if it should be made permanent in Barton Hill, Redfield and St George.
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In its official response to the petition, the council admitted that they “expect some immediate and temporary increased congestion and displacement of traffic to other areas”.
“This should settle down once all the measures have been installed and are working together and as new routes become established and more people choose public transport and walking and cycling in the longer-term.”
Ed Plowden, chair of the transport & connectivity committee, said: “The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme is being introduced to create safer, healthier and more enjoyable communities.
“We understand that change can be challenging but considered change is necessary to help improve the quality of life for residents in the area while improving air quality, tackling congestion and climate change, and bringing many health benefits.”
Beaufort Road in Redfield is a noticeably more pleasant place for active travel since the start of the EBLN trial – photo: Martin Booth
One resident on Beaufort Road is quoted by Bristol City Council in a news release entitled ‘Embracing change’.
They said: “The difference is huge. It’s so quiet and calm and feels safe now.
“I can walk down the road on the pavement with my daughter without worrying about her being knocked over by a speeding car or a car mounting the pavement outside our house.
“The air already feels cleaner and less polluted, and the mornings aren’t starting with stress, arguments and noise.
“Most of all, it feels so much safer.
“If I wanted to walk anywhere on our road, it was constantly busy, noisy, beeping, and full of anger.
“Please consider the residents when considering this trial and the positive effects on us and our children.”
But in Barton Hill, some residents are so unhappy that they have been prevented contractors from doing their jobs:
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Installation of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme began in October and should have been completed by now.
A council statement said: “We have been faced with protestors on site who have prevented this, putting themselves and our contractors at risk.
“As a result, we have been forced to pause installing the remaining trial measures, which is costing both time and money.
“Please be reassured that we still intend to complete the trial scheme and are considering how we can proceed in a safe way.”
Once the trial scheme has been installed and the six-month trial is over, Bristol City Council will be asking for feedback through a survey and talks with local businesses and community leaders.
Data from the trial including traffic, walking and cycling levels, bus journey times, and air quality will be analysed “to decide the next steps”.
Despite the disgruntlement from some quarters, it remains very likely that the trial scheme in east Bristol will still be made permanent.
The next liveable neighbourhood pilot project has also been announced and is due to take place in south Bristol covering the council wards of Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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