News / Temple Quay
New signs appear to ban phones from Temple Quay
The contentious and confusing issue of pseudo public space has raised its head in Bristol once again.
Both cameras and phones appear to be banned according to new signs that have recently been installed in Temple Quay, the area to the rear of Temple Meads that is owned by government organisation Homes England.
On closer inspection, the signs ban photography and inform people to “switch off all camera phones” but it is unclear how this rule can be enforced, especially since almost all mobile phones are camera phones.
is needed now More than ever
The signs dotted around Temple Quay feature both camera and phone icons crossed out within a red border.
They say: “This is private land, access is permitted by the owner and may be withdrawn at anytime. No photography. Switch off all camera phones.”
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Read more: The rise of pseudo public spaces in Bristol
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In 2022, Heidi Sævareid was on the Small Goods side of the cheesegrater bridge enjoying a coffee with a friend when she was asked by a security guard from a neighbouring building to leave the area.
Sævareid told the Bristol Cable that the security guard told her the site was private and reiterated that they needed to move on.
One clue as to this over-officiousness could be that HMRC are the tenants of 3 Glass Wharf, with photos used on their own blog contravening the non-photography rules.
HMRC’s ‘regional hub’ is in Temple Quay – photo taken without permission by Martin Booth
Temple Quay is one of several areas across Bristol including Wapping Wharf that are pseudo public places, with what seems to be public land actually private property.
But the ownership and rules around Temple Quay appear to be particularly problematic.
“I find it strange as they are a public body not a private company so technically it is public land” tweeted former cabinet member Paul Smith referring to Homes England’s ownership of the area.
Homes England, whose Bristol office is in Temple Quay, have been approached for comment by Bristol24/7.
Signs appearing to ban photography have appeared across Temple Quay – photo taken without permission by Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Work begins on new eastern entrance to Temple Meads
- ‘Major milestone’ in Temple Quarter regeneration project
- Give your views on latest plans for Temple Island
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