Latest news with #EdPlowden
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bristol 'better than Copenhagen' for kids walking and cycling
Bristol has been ranked the eighth best city in Europe for children to walk, cycle and get around on their own – coming ahead of city was marked higher than anywhere else in the UK by the Clean Cities Campaign (CCC), which looks at cycle lanes, speed limits, and low traffic zones near Pond, chairman of the Bristol Cycling Campaign, which promotes better infrastructure across the city, said he was "a little surprised" by the CCC calculated that 80% of Bristol's streets were designated a "safe speed" of 20mph, compared with only 3% in Copenhagen. However, the Danish capital does have significantly more cycle lanes that are protected from traffic. Paris had made "dramatic progress" to get to the top of the list, the CCC said. Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Lyon, Helsinki and Barcelona came next in the ranking, with Oslo and Ghent in ninth and tenth, and Copenhagen in eleventh place. 'A lot more to do' Boosting cycling infrastructure would have pushed Bristol's ranking even chairman of Bristol City Council's transport and connectivity committee, Ed Plowden, said he was "pleased" with the result but that more progress could be made."One of the things I've always said that makes a great city and a good transport system is that a sensible 12-year-old can walk around the city and be safe, and that parents aren't very scared about their safety," he said."So it's really nice to see at least a little bit of an endorsement that we're moving in the right direction, but let's not forget there's a lot more to do."The council plans to trial a new red high-friction surface on some sections of segregated cycleways in the city centre, to see whether this improves safety for cyclists and one busy bike lane through the centre is to be resurfaced with black tarmac, because the process for hiring contractors to refurbish the surface is already under way.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bristol City Council discusses new resident parking zones plans
Plans are being considered to create more resident parking zones (RPZ) to combat traffic and parking issues in Bristol City Council introduced them, the zones in Bishopston, St Andrews, St Werburghs, Ashley Down, Totterdown, Windmill Hill and Bedminster, would become areas where only residents with a permit would be allowed to a meeting on Thursday, representatives raised concerns around costs and the size of the proposed and current zones while some said people were "chomping at the bit" for parking chair Ed Plowden said the council would "probably not" be able to put forward a scheme that all councillors wanted, but would look at recommendations. Green councillor for St George West Rob Bryher, suggested the council should, in the meantime, consider proximity to the city centre and existing schemes."[We should also consider] whether you can actually park a vehicle in the area if you're a resident," he said."There are some communities that are chomping at the bit to get this kind of parking management implemented and it's been a long time they've waiting."[So], I do think it's good to have some clear timelines for when it's coming back to the committee." Labour councillor for Southmead Kaz Self said her main concern was finding an RPZ fee that would suit people on a low income."There are people in Southmead ward who are not going to have the same level of income as someone in Clifton so, there's an issue about how much an RPZ rate would be," she funding has not been formally allocated the council has proposed to use income generated from the Clean Air Zone scheme to fund any new RPZ of city transport Adam Crowther said the committee will take everything into consideration."We will look at how much it would cost and how many resources would be needed to bring a decision paper back to the committee, if possible in September, if not then it might be in October," he said.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for city centre road changes set to progress
A major step forward is expected be taken this week for big changes to several roads in Bristol city centre. Over the next few years, roadworks will completely revamp Bond Street, Union Street, Broadmead, the Horsefair, the Haymarket, and the Redcliffe roundabout. The changes include installing new bus lanes and bike lanes in a bid to cut congestion and air pollution. Bristol City Council is hoping to encourage people to swap car travel for bus journeys, walking or cycling, but needs to upgrade infrastructure first. Councillors on the transport policy committee were expected to sign off the latest stage of the works on Thursday, although some were already unhappy with the proposed plans. Ahead of the committee meeting, new images and details of the changes have been revealed. Green councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport committee, said: "The plans for the Broadmead area are about more than improving transport routes and mark the beginning of a huge regeneration of the area that will see new homes and retail and leisure facilities developed. "In preparation, we need to improve bus routes and create pedestrian-friendly spaces that make it easier and more pleasant to travel actively." New bus lanes will be installed on Bond Street, and a new cycle route will also be created through St Paul's running parallel with Bond Street. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Opposing the Bond Street changes is Liberal Democrat councillor Nicholas Coombes, who says they would cause congestion due to there being less space for cars. He added: "It is unrealistic to say that car drivers are going to switch to the bus before we even have plans for a park and ride." After a public consultation last summer, the city council is now planning to submit a full business case for the £4.52m Bond Street project to the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) for approval. Bus lanes, bike lanes and new pedestrian crossings were also planned for Redcliffe roundabout. Construction was expected to start next year, costing £6.25m. Major changes were also planned for Broadmead and Union Street, including pedestrianising the Horsefair and Penn Street, giving buses more priority, and building one kilometre of segregated cycle routes. These projects will be paid for from a fund called the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which the government gave to Weca. Travel proposals include car ban on key city roads Everything we know about Bristol's travel changes Bike paths and bus lanes approved by city council Bristol City Council transport proposals
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bristol City Centre road changes to be debated this week
A major step forward is expected be taken this week for big changes to several roads in Bristol city the next few years, roadworks will completely revamp Bond Street, Union Street, Broadmead, the Horsefair, the Haymarket, and the Redcliffe changes include installing new bus lanes and bike lanes in a bid to cut congestion and air City Council is hoping to encourage people to swap car travel for bus journeys, walking or cycling, but needs to upgrade infrastructure first. Councillors on the transport policy committee were expected to sign off the latest stage of the works on Thursday, although some were already unhappy with the proposed of the committee meeting, new images and details of the changes have been councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport committee, said: "The plans for the Broadmead area are about more than improving transport routes and mark the beginning of a huge regeneration of the area that will see new homes and retail and leisure facilities developed."In preparation, we need to improve bus routes and create pedestrian-friendly spaces that make it easier and more pleasant to travel actively."New bus lanes will be installed on Bond Street, and a new cycle route will also be created through St Paul's running parallel with Bond Street. Opposing the Bond Street changes is Liberal Democrat councillor Nicholas Coombes, who says they would cause congestion due to there being less space for cars. He added: "It is unrealistic to say that car drivers are going to switch to the bus before we even have plans for a park and ride."After a public consultation last summer, the city council is now planning to submit a full business case for the £4.52m Bond Street project to the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) for approval. Bus lanes, bike lanes and new pedestrian crossings were also planned for Redcliffe roundabout. Construction was expected to start next year, costing £ changes were also planned for Broadmead and Union Street, including pedestrianising the Horsefair and Penn Street, giving buses more priority, and building one kilometre of segregated cycle routes. These projects will be paid for from a fund called the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which the government gave to Weca.
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Bristol City Council receives £2.5m in Cumberland Road bus gate fines
Drivers have paid more than £2.5m in fines over a 15-month period for travelling through a controversial bus 60,128 fines were handed to motorists for driving through the Cumberland Road bus gate in Bristol between 1 January 2024 and 3 April 2025. This equates to an average of 131 fines per states only buses, taxis and bicycles are allowed to pass through City Council said bus gates are installed across the city to help cut air pollution "and increase the number of bus travel options for residents". According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the BBC, the Cumberland Road bus gate fines generated about £ is more than four times higher than the city's second-highest grossing bus gate, which is High Street, at the junction of Baldwin Street. This gate made more than £477,000 in FOI also revealed there were 128 attempts at appealing the fines during the same period, however it is not clear how many of them were successfully February, a Traffic Penalty Tribunal adjudicator raised concerns about the signage approaching the bus gate while determining an appeal. 'Offer leniency' The council has repeatedly defended the signage, arguing it is compliant with the latest guidance and legislation. Councillor Ed Plowden, transport committee chair on Bristol City Council, said: "It is the responsibility of all drivers to plan their journey appropriately and avoid bus gates."Drivers can find details of bus gates in Bristol on the council's website. "We continue to offer leniency, at our discretion, for those drivers who receive multiple fines in the time between their first incorrect use of the bus gate and getting notice of the fine in the post."The total revenue made from fines across all of the city's bus gates was £4.7m.
