Removing through-traffic from one of Bristol's most iconic shopping destinations will have a disastrous effect

Green-led Bristol City Council announced in January that a 24-hour bus gate would be installed at the top of the road where it meets Park Row at Clifton Triangle and a bus lane to run up from the Centre.

Local businesses have formed a campaign group called Save Park Street and launched a petition calling on the proposal to be scrapped.

They say it would “kill” trade in the area and that they would have no choice but to close up and move away.

Greens say the plans, which include segregated cycleways, wider pavements and changes to the road layout, will ease traffic congestion and make bus services from Whiteladies Road more punctual, and that it will also be better for pedestrians.

Now Cllr John Goulandris (Conservative, Stoke Bishop) has tabled a motion to full council on Tuesday, March 11, calling on the administration to think again.

He said the scheme, part of major upgrades to the A37/A4018 corridor aimed at improving travel times for the No 2 bus and creating new and inviting public spaces, would be a “disaster” because it effectively closed one of the main routes from north Bristol into the city centre, including access to the cathedral, Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel and College Street car park.

Cllr Goulandris said: “There is no logical reason for preventing full car access to Park Street and the city centre apart from during peak commuting times.

“Any 24-hour bus gate is needlessly excessive.

“This latest news is quite baffling given the very hostile reception the proposal initially received when it was aired in the autumn of 2021.

“Understandably, businesses and traders are threatening to leave if they are unable to get the Green-led administration to re-engage with them and find alternatives to radical road restrictions and closure.

“My group has previously set out cogent reasons why this extremely bad innovation would sound the deathknell for many of the shops on Park Street.

“We shall continue to strongly argue our case and rally support from local business organisations to oppose this plan, which must be subject to a further consultation under the statutory Traffic Regulation Order process.”

His motion, which will not be debated at the meeting because of time limits, said: “This council is perplexed by the recently revealed plan to exclude most vehicles from accessing one of the city’s most important and historic shopping destinations – Park Street.

“Critics of this move to remove through-traffic from one of our most iconic shopping destinations point out that this will have a disastrous effect on the businesses there.

“The previous ‘Have Your Say’ public consultation on these improvements, which was conducted from November 29, 2021, to January 28, 2022, revealed a huge amount of opposition to these transport changes.

“Many traders have now threatened to simply close down if the scheme in its current form is allowed to go ahead.

“In light of the Green-led administration’s promise to listen and conduct consultations differently from the past, treat the public’s views with respect, and adapt policies accordingly, Council requests the transport and connectivity committee considers scrapping this bus gate proposal.

“Furthermore, the authority needs to re-engage with the business community to work on alternative design options which do not actually pose a risk to their economic viability.”

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Defending the project, which is endorsed by FirstBus, committee chairman Cllr Ed Plowden (Green, Windmill Hill) said last month: “Our planned changes to Park Street aim not only to improve bus reliability and punctuality across the city, but also to encourage footfall by creating a better environment for pedestrians, introduce crossing points which are level with pavements, and create a series of public spaces with outdoor seating.

“The scheme is expected to generate income that can be reinvested in transport projects, and the demand created through the increased footfall is estimated to generate around 470 new jobs.

“Schemes similar to this, such as the transformations on Cotham Hill and Old City, have seen improvements in the experience for shoppers and businesses, with a growth of journeys through both areas on public transport and other active travel options.”