News / East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood
‘Illegal’ actions ‘making it impossible to install liveable neighbourhood safely’
Bristol’s deputy council leader has said that her attempt to talk to residents in Barton Hill about their concerns around the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood “were unfortunately not met in good faith”.
On Monday morning, Heather Mack, a Green Party councillor for Lockleaze, was joined by John Smith, Bristol City Council’s interim executive director of the growth & regeneration directorate, on Avonvale Road where they were confronted by a group of spirited local residents.
The confrontation happened after protesters once again blocked council contractors from installing infrastructure as part of Bristol’s first liveable neighbourhood trial.
is needed now More than ever
Work to install the trial measures started on October 28 and so far protesters have stopped council contractors three times.
Delaying the scheme has already cost £34,000 in contractor costs and any further delays will likely see this figure rise further.
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Mack said: “We support the right to peaceful protest and I have been on the streets to meet with protesters to hear their concerns direct.
“Whilst we recognise there are some deep-rooted misgivings about the potential impacts of the scheme on the area, our attempts (on Monday) to have a two-way dialogue were unfortunately not met in good faith.
“By illegally obstructing works, these actions have put both our contractors, protesters and other pedestrians at risk, making it impossible to continue installing the trial measures safely.
“On top of being dangerous, the activity of the protesters is adding extra costs and uncertainty to the scheme, while taking police resources away from other local issues.
“It is important that we have solutions to big problems like air pollution and excess traffic on small residential roads that were never designed to be used as cut-throughs.
“Our plans for the trial are based on three years of intensive community engagement, co-design and consultation.
“Thousands of people have fed into shaping the trial, which we’ve refined using this feedback.
“Some residents have told us that their streets already feel safer, are quieter and have cleaner air.
“We are confident the trial will continue to deliver these improvements for local streets, as well as increase footfall for local businesses and use of sustainable transport.”
The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial scheme covers an area of Barton Hill, Redfield and St George – map: Bristol City Council
Mack was herself arrested after taking part in an Extinction Rebellion protest in London in 2019.
She was originally announced as the Green Party candidate for May’s metro mayor election before standing down in order to focus on council business.
Mack added: “Everyone will get a chance to tell us their thoughts about the trial six months after it has been fully installed.
“This feedback will be used, alongside data collected before, during and after the six-month trial to decide if it has met our success criteria.
“This includes traffic, walking and cycling levels, bus journey times and air quality.
“We will promote how to get involved and have your say nearer the time.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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