'Insulting' Traders offered cash to buy bikes - but not cover losses

BUSINESSES in the heart of the controversial East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme have described the offer of an "adaptation grant" instead of compensation for lost business from Bristol City Council as "insulting".

- Tristan CORK

The end of this week is the last deadline for businesses to apply for the grants, which could be anything from a few hundred pounds to £10,000, and are for any business that is on a road the council has deemed eligible within the Liveable Neighbourhood area.

The Liveable Neighbourhood has seen traffic filters and bus gates installed around Barton Hill, Redfield and St George to create a series of zones of residential streets within the main roads around that area. Many local businesses, particularly in Barton Hill, have said they have been hit by a huge loss of passing trade, with customers coming by car avoiding the area since the Liveable Neighbourhood trial began earlier this year.

Businesses living either side of the Avonvale Road/Marsh Lane bus gate junction in Barton Hill have said they have been hit by the project, and have been demanding compensation for months.