What changes are planned for Park Street in Bristol?
Cars could soon be restricted on Bristol's Park Street to ease congestion and improve bus times.Green city councillors have approved the scheme but it faces one final hurdle as a full business case has to be submitted to the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) for approval.The post of mayor is currently up for grabs with an election pending in May.With a decision expected to be announced in the coming months, we take a look at how things could change.
What could change?
Under the plans, the street would be mostly used by buses, cyclists and pedestrians.Cars will still be able to access the shopping street by using side roads but will not be able to drive from end to end.A bus gate will be installed at the top of the road, pavements will be widened and new cycle paths added.Parking spaces will be removed to give cafes more room for outdoor tables.
When could it happen?
If approved, by whoever becomes the Weca mayor, the work could begin in October.Bristol City Council said it hopes to finish the project by March 2027.
How much will it cost?
The council has estimated the revamp would cost £15.5m.
Why does the council want to make changes?
In short: to reduce congestion.According to council figures, 53% of people commuted by car in 2019. The council says that figure needs to drop to 43% by 2036 just to keep traffic at its current level due to population growth.First Bus, which runs services across the city, has said many of its routes which use Park Street often encounter delays due to congestion."There's been lots of literature that shows if you restrict through-traffic, then traffic just evaporates," Green councillor Rob Bryher claimed.Chairman of the council's transport policy committee, Ed Plowden, said the changes would boost the economy, partly as wider pavements could lead to greater footfall.Meanwhile, the extra space for pedestrians has prompted some local venues to consider putting on a new arts festival.Mr Plowden added: "Victoria Rooms, the Royal West Academy and St George's are talking about some kind of arts festival, and they feel that the space is there that they can use now, rather than having a great big racetrack in front of the beautiful statues and architecture."
Is there any opposition?
Yes, some businesses on Park Street have raised concerns about potential impact on them.A group of local businesses have started a campaign opposing the changes that has so far gained 315 petition signatures - well short of the 3,500 needed to trigger a debate.Speaking at a council meeting on 11 March, cafe owner Michael Potts claimed "most Bristolians" oppose the changes.Mr Potts, who owns Mrs Potts Chocolate House, said: "Evidence suggests that removing traffic from the high street will have a devastating consequence."Meanwhile, opposition Conservative councillors have branded the scheme "needlessly excessive", and warned it could have a "disastrous effect" on businesses in the shopping district.Labour abstained from the vote on 20 March and Conservative and Liberal Democrat members voted against the plans.
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