My letter to constituents on the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood
- Bristol South
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
On 4 September, Bristol City Council launched a consultation regarding their proposals for a South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (SBLN). I have since been contacted by residents from across the SBLN area, which encompasses all of Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill wards.
I have attended one of the engagement events and spoken directly to a number of residents on the doorsteps of Southville.
To date, no one who has been in touch has expressed outright opposition to the principles behind the plans, to make our “streets healthier, more accessible and more pleasant”.
However, there are specific concerns raised, including by those living in roads which will potentially see significant change.
For example, some living in lower Totterdown have referred to evidence that one-way streets simply encourage vehicles to go faster. In the plans, almost every road in this area will become one-way.
In parts of Southville, constituents have been in touch about multiple new modal filters (or roadblocks) which may result in significantly increased vehicle movements on Alpha Road and Frayne Road, creating new rat-runs. In addition, these modal filters will almost certainly end any future possibility of public transport services returning to Beauley Road and nearby.
The issue of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was also highlighted. The bus gate on St Lukes Road would mean that anyone wanting to access the Royal Mail delivery office on Mead Street by car has to enter the CAZ. Likewise, in one of the Southville zones the only way to leave Southville was through the CAZ.
By contrast, for those who live outside Southville and Totterdown, issues have been raised about a perceived lack of a clear timetable for action.
This includes the lack of a detailed plan to address the long-standing problem of rat-running on Chessel Street.
Previously gathered evidence has been highlighted that match-day parking, proposed for the Chessels, Ashton and Ashton Vale, would be popular with residents. Similarly, residents living in parts of Windmill Hill and Totterdown constituents have long called for residents’ parking. Developer contributions from the new blocks on Malago Road have already been set aside in planning agreements, at least in the case of Windmill Hill, to help implement residents' parking.
Regarding the funding for the overall SBLN scheme, it is my understanding that by the end of this year, £1.35 million will have been allocated for Bristol City Council to draw up the Full Business Case. I further understand that the Council will then seek a potential £12.5m in additional funding from the West of England Combined Authority for implementation.
The total budget for the scheme, with the money already allocated though planning agreements, could be close to £20 million.
I am somewhat encouraged by initial indications that there will be flexibility on the detail of final scheme. Hopefully this means a genuine desire to listen and understand why specific proposals may not be locally popular due to unintended consequences.
The consultation continues until the end of this month.
If you have already completed the survey, but have additional thoughts, you can email the Council on liveableneighbourhoods@bristol.gov.uk
