Latest news with #LiveableNeighbourhood
ITV News
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- ITV News
Bus gates: The next step of Bristol's controversial liveable neighbourhood scheme
The controversial low traffic area in East Bristol has finally been completed after cameras to three bus gates have been switched on. The new bus gates introduced as part of the controversial Liveable Neighbourhood scheme must now be used by motorists. The gates are located halfway down Marsh Lane, and then on either side of the junction with Avonvale Road, on the corner next to Banksy's Valentine's Day mural. Bristol City Council has confirmed that the CCTV cameras installed at these sites are now operational, but they have already been vandalised. What are the new rules? All the bus gates are in use 24-hours a day, seven days a week. They mean that the only road users who can travel through the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN) are: Buses Emergency vehicles Bicycles Solo motorcycles Taxis Residents of the EBLN area whose vehicle has a disabled tax class (must apply for an exemption) Professional carers who work in homes of people who live within the EBLN area (must apply for an exemption) Residents of the EBLN area who have a Blue Badge registered to their address can nominate one vehicle (must apply for an exemption) Residents of the EBLN area who are on a low income, who meet the eligibility criteria and need to drive to work (must apply for an exemption) Parents or carers who live within the EBLN area who receive a personal travel budget for their child with SEND (the council will contact eligible residents) Although the bus gate cameras are now working, motorists caught driving through the area without an exemption will be sent a warning letter rather than being fined for the first few weeks. What is the liveable neighbourhood scheme? This step marks the start of the six-month pilot scheme of the EBLN, which has been designed to achieve a better balance between how streets are used for vehicles and people. It's the first liveable neighbourhood project in the city and aims to make the streets safer and less polluted. The deputy leader of Bristol City Council, Cllr Heather Mack, said: 'By stopping drivers from cutting through residential roads, and by encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter journeys or to use public transport, including the new number 16 bus that goes right through the trial area, local residential streets should be safer and quieter." Why is it so controversial? Two of the signs for the bus gates were vandalised shortly after they were installed, with the words "no poor people allowed" spray-painted across them. The cameras themselves have now also been vandalised, just hours after they were installed. Some local residents have strongly opposed the plans, claiming it will make life "unnecessarily difficult" and create a "wealth divide" within the community. Police were needed earlier this year when contractors were blocked from carrying out work. Cllr Mack described it as a "very difficult situation" and acknowledged that the council hadn't expected the extent of the opposition. She told ITV News West Country: "I think the level of protest did come from a lack of trust in how the scheme developed and I think we should have expected that and reacted more quickly for that protest."In a statement, she noted: 'I live in the area myself, and I came and listened to people across the trial area and recognised there was a risk we hadn't responded to concerns some community members had, especially those on low incomes and disabled people.'As a result, we have put together a boosted range of travel offers and bus gate exemptions, and I really urge everyone who thinks they could be eligible to check the criteria and apply as soon as possible.'The travel offers, which include a choice of £250 of First Bus tickets or £150 to spend on a reconditioned bike, are available for households in the trial area who receive certain benefits. This is on top of £100 of First Bus tickets that every household across the EBLN will receive through the post soon."
BBC News
28-02-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: Trees removed from high street and free bus tickets
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Most of the trees on Weston High Street have been removed because of vandalism. The Weston Mercury reports eight out of 10 of them - planted in 2023 - are says the Minor Injuries Unit in the town is being relocated rather than shutting that a hedge in Castle Cary has been "ripped out" for a new housing development has caused quite a stir on the Somerset Live Facebook a woman from Cheltenham has won £45,000 on ITV's The Chase. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media People living in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial are being offered bus gate exemptions and free bus tickets to help people adjust to the changes, according to this post by the city Search and Rescue has a new canine recruit. After a year of "bonding and obedience training", Dio has officially joined the a popular Tardis bin has had a makeover in Aldbourne in Wiltshire. The structure has been a fixture there for 13 years, according to this post in a local group.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Graves damaged by 'appalling' drivers using Bristol cemetery as shortcut
Drivers have damaged graves when using a closed cemetery road as a shortcut to avoid traffic in neighbouring route through Avon View Cemetery in east Bristol is only supposed to be used by hearses, maintenance vehicles or visitors with limited drivers have been using the route regularly to avoid heavy traffic and bypass roadblocks within the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme. The cemetery installed bollards to block the road, but people have since driven directly over graves to evade the closure. "They [the bollards] have only been up for two days and people decided to drive in and drive over people's graves," said Ian Calway, from Friends of Avon View Cemetery."Has anyone got any morals any more or any respect? This is all to save 10 minutes. That's it." Mr Calway told BBC Radio Bristol the cemetery has been seen by many as a convenient route from Blackswarth Road to Beaufort added: "We'd been getting complaints from various members of the public about cars using the cemetery as a shortcut."It's not just the volume [of cars], it's the speed."Mr Calway said people have been driving along the 5mph (8km/h) road at "up to 35mph (56km/h)". 'It's just crazy' Wooden bollards were initially installed to stop people using the road, but Mr Calway said they were removed by drivers and thrown into nearby via the liveable neighbourhood scheme has since enabled the installation of metal bollards. But Mr Calway said some vehicles have been using the cemetery's narrow footpaths, where even hearses are not permitted."This place is visited by the elderly and mothers with small children. It's just crazy," he said. Barney Harris, who lives nearby, said: "One of the [damaged] graves was from 2019 - it's not even an old grave, it's absolutely appalling."I can't comprehend how people would justify doing this. It's a disgrace."Bristol City Council has been approached for comment because they own the land.
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Would you welcome four-weekly bin collections?
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories The prospect of Bristol moving to black bin collections every four weeks has been a big talking point. People have taken to Reddit threads to do discuss how council tax should be divided, and how large black bins should old cinema in Gloucester's Peel Centre – which has been empty for 10 years – has been turned into a "state-of-the-art storage facility", says Gloucestershire Live. The comments encapsulate the feeling of people being video from Bristol 24/7 shows Barton Hill residents once again blocking council workers from implementing the Liveable Neighbourhood a Bristol graduate whose family fled the Taliban in 2000 has made a speech at her graduation about what a privilege it has been to "pursue an education". She's the first in her family to go to university. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media Two trucks have been completely destroyed by a fire in Swindon, affecting a local skip is a striking drone picture of the Rive Isle taking over a B-road, which has been posted in the Somerset Levels Friends Facebook group. It follows flooding across several parts of the county. There has been an update from local MP Sarah Dyke that all those evacuated from Primrose Hill Park are in emergency accommodation, with a heartfelt thanks to everyone who Wiltshire, there are still roads closed due to flooding which you can find there is a bit of excitement around Bristol Light Festival returning this weekend.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protest disrupts work on liveable neighbourhood
Work to install a bus gate which is part of a liveable neighbourhood scheme has been disrupted by protests. About 30 campaigners gathered in Barton Hill, Bristol, as council contractors worked to install a bus gate as part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme. "They're trying to put the bus gate in because they know it will raise fines for the council's bank balance," said protester Melissa Topping. Bristol City Council has been asked for comment. It has said the scheme will "create a safer, healthier and greener neighbourhood". One-way systems and roadblocks have already been installed as part of the trial for the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, which covers parts of Barton Hill, Redfield and St George. The council has said the measures stop drivers cutting through residential roads in order to beat congestion. Three bus gates - in Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane and Pilemarsh - are part of the wider scheme. Only drivers with certain exemptions, such as those with disabilities, care providers attending clients, and families of high-needs children, may be exempt from charges. Since the scheme was announced, the council has faced strong opposition from some residents who say it would make their journeys longer. "We're not letting this happen through a community which has clearly stated we don't want it," said Ms Topping as the bus gate was being installed in Avonvale Road. Ms Topping said the protests would continue beyond Monday. "The council are being bullies," she added. "This was supposed to be developed with us, and it hasn't at all." Protester Sameera Mussa said many residents needed to use their cars to take their children to school. She said: "Why has this been done to Barton Hill? Why not do it to the wealthier parts of the city? "We don't have families here who can sit at home with their laptop and work at home. "Why don't the council create better environments instead of caging us like animals?" Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Liveable neighbourhood trial paused after protests Work begins on liveable neighbourhood pilot Thousands demand halt to East Bristol LTN trial Bristol City Council
