Your say / Western Harbour
‘We want to be positive about the Western Harbour, but we don’t know how’
John Bradfield, a member of the Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association, writes an open letter to Bristol mayor Marvin Rees ahead of a public meeting on Wednesday about his Western Harbour plans.
Dear Mayor,
As a local resident within the area of Bristol most affected by these important proposals we are very keen to have our say on the Western Harbour proposals.
is needed now More than ever
Our problem is that, so far, many of our suggestions have either been labelled as ‘negative’ and forbidden, seemingly because they do not fit with your own choices. And we now need your advice as to how to proceed.
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From the options listed in the Arup report you have already pre-selected your choices of either a new four-lane river crossing situated in the Gorge called the Western Approach. Or a new four-lane river crossing through the most densely inhabited part of residential Hotwells called the Eastern Approach. Or both.
An artist’s impression of what the Western Harbour could look like – courtesy of Bristol City Council
You have made it clear that you will not allow any discussion of any option that involves leaving the existing flyover in place. Even though all of our local councillors, who have most knowledge of our local community, request that this be discussed. Why is their suggestion labelled as ‘negative’ and forbidden?
When we ask how these proposals fit in with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) strategic transport study we are told there is no time to wait for the results of this study and statement appears in the local press to say “not about a road system”. Why is our question considered to be ‘negative’?
You have promised to build 2,500 new homes on the Western Harbour site and state this can only be met by moving the Cumberland flyover/bridge road system out of the way and reassembling it either within residential Hotwells or in the Gorge or both.
Are we allowed to question whether there are other sites across the city that might be more appropriate for some of this housing? Or will you choose to discard this contribution as too ‘negative’?
The proposed Western Harbour development covers an area of Ashton, Spike Island and Hotwells
Not surprisingly Bristolians and visitors alike are worried about the impact of these proposals on the international attractions of the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. But when you respond by saying in public and in print “There is more to Bristol than just Balloons, Brunel and Bridges”; and that “Your experience of growing up in Bristol did not include many of the iconic sights”; you give the impression that, for you, such concerns are not relevant – too ‘negative’.
Is it ‘negative’ for us to worry about proposing a new residential development in the highest risk flood area in the whole of Bristol?
At present it is possible to walk/cycle out from Hotwells directly into the countryside. Is it ‘negative’ to worry that this first piece of countryside will soon be dominated by the noise and pollution of a new four-lane highway, as will Greville Smythe Park?
Please, please believe us. We want to be ‘positive’ about this proposal. But we just don’t know how.
At this meeting we need you to show us your official list of what suggestions will be accepted for consideration and which will be discarded as ‘negative’ and thrown in the bin.
Please tell us how to contribute without being labelled as ‘negative’.
Marvin Rees is taking part in a public meeting on Wednesday, January 22, from 6pm at Holy Trinity Church in Hotwells, organised by the Clifton & Hotwells branch of the Labour Party, to talk about his plans for the Western Harbour.
Main photo by Martin Booth
Read more: EXCLUSIVE: Marvin Rees on how he wants Bristol to develop
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