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Rees’ response to petition for safer streets met with ‘disappointment’
The mayor of Bristol’s response to a petition to make cycling safer in the city has received backlash from cyclists.
A 779-word blog published on Marvin Rees’ mayoral website has been slammed for being an inappropriate response to a petition which gained almost 4,000 signatures.
“The council constitution requires a specific response to a petition,” said shadow cabinet for member, David Wilcox. “This blog doesn’t qualify as a response and doesn’t address the issues.”
is needed now More than ever
Wilcox said that he will be working with the democratic services team at City Hall and the lord mayor, who chairs council committees, “to rectify this”.
We’ve been informed that this blog is the formal response to our petition which gained 3,500 signatures and was debated at full council.
What do you think?https://t.co/tCUAn899EU— Bristol ? Cycling (@BristolCycling) November 25, 2022
Bristol Cycling Campaign members have told Bristol24/7 of their serious concerns after being informed that Rees’ blog acts as the city council’s official response to its petition, which gained more than 3,800 signatures and was debated at a full council meeting on November 8.
To much incredulity among those who walk and cycle through our city, Rees writes that Bristol “has a clear transport hierarchy which prioritises pedestrians and then cyclists”.
The blog also outlines how the council’s Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) includes plans and routes which will help “enable the growth of cycling amongst more disadvantaged communities”.
It continues: “Our driver for the LCWIP proposals have been the clear disparity of cycling journeys to work between wealthier and more deprived areas of the city.
“In addition to the above all developments and infrastructure plans, we want to maximise the inclusion of safe cycling with segregation where possible.”
Plans to invest in a new £14m family cycling centre in Lawrence Weston are also mentioned within the blog.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees: “Bristol has a clear transport hierarchy which prioritises pedestrians and then cyclists.”
Bristol: pic.twitter.com/05oBZSJ0Sa
— Martin Booth (@beardedjourno) November 25, 2022
Bethan Grant tweeted that the mayor’s blog “attempts to rubbish the efforts of residents who are merely seeking to engage in the democratic process. Disappointing.”
@CyclistBristol tweeted: “The Bristol Cycling petition called on Bristol City Council to complete and publish an updated Bristol Cycling Delivery Plan.
“There was no mention of asking @MarvinJRees to write a blog post about general transport related issues.”
Sam Morgan added: “It’s words. No one who rides a bike would come up with this?”
Dan Windross also replied to the thread of comments and wrote: “So 3,500 people sign a petition but nothing needs to change?”
Main photo: Rachel Sutherland
Read next:
- Bristol needs a ‘comprehensive’ network of protected cycle lanes
- How can Bristol be a safer place for cycling?
- ‘We need a total overhaul in approach to cycling in Bristol’
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