News / Transport
Plans for St Jude’s street to be pedestrianised
A community in St Jude’s has put forward a plan to Bristol City Council to pedestrianise a well-used cut through in their area.
Old Market Community Association’s (OMCA) want to close St Matthias Park to motorists in a bid to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists, while also providing a public space for the community to enjoy. The connecting road runs alongside a small park by the same name, joining Braggs Lane and Champion Square.
As well as shutting off St Matthias Park, the residents also want the council to reverse New Street’s one-way system to provide a tree-lined avenue with segregated bike paths and parking.
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“It’s about protecting citizens, vulnerable groups, wheelchair users, people with buggies, pedestrians and active travellers in a city with loads of Vois and cyclists,” said Harry Simpson, OMCA community outreach co-ordinator.
The plans would see the area of St Matthias Park pedestrianised, illustrated in orange, while the light green area marks proposed bike lanes – photo: Old Market Community Association
Representatives have met with Don Alexander, councillor for transport and Nicola Beech, councillor for strategic planning, and said both support OMCA’s ideas.
Simpson added: “The footways are really poor quality, and it pushes pedestrians into the road.”
“People are already walking in the road very freely, it’s just a matter of formalising it so they can do that safely,” they added.
“This would make it a much more hospitable environment for the people who use it.
“It also gives us a chance to show the council what it could be like rather than what is currently.”
Harry Simpson hopes the pedestrianisation will create safer access for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a public space for the local community – photo: Maddy Hansen
The owner of the Volunteer Tavern, whose back entrance and outdoor seating area leads onto St Matthias Park, said they support the plans.
Amy Bright, general manager of the pub, said: “We’re all for it. The idea of cleaning it up a little bit, making it safer for families sounds amazing.
“We’re quite a family pub, we have children running about, so it would be nicer if it felt safer out the back anyway,” Bright added.
The team behind the Volunteer Tavern, which backs onto St Matthias Park supports the plans – photo: Maddy Hansen
A planned ‘play street’ taking place this Friday will aim to show the benefits the space can bring to the local community.
“It gives an opportunity for kids in the nearby council estates and new developments the chance to come out and enjoy the street, to kick a ball around, skip and play,” said Simpson.
Old Market Community Association are hosting a ‘play street’ on St Matthias Park on Friday between 4pm and 6pm, during which time the street will be closed to traffic.
Main photo: Old Market Community Association
Read next:
- Cotham Hill pedestrianisation praised by Active Travel England
- Chandos Road could be next Bristol street to be pedestrianised
- Plans for 600 bed student accommodation unveiled
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