'Total overkill' Residents hit out at plan for liveable neighbourhood

Plans to radically change the road network in one part of south Bristol with 'modal filters' that create a series of cul-de-sac zones are alreading being met with stiff opposition, as the latest attempt by Bristol City Council to explain the idea to local residents continues. Tristan Cork reports...

- Tristan Cork

THE council's 'Liveable Neighbourhood' consultation team ventured into the heart of Southville in recent days, where it plans to install a dozen road blocks that stop vehicles but allow pedestrians and bikes through, as part of a much wider scheme that will eventually cover every road from Ashton Vale to Totterdown.

A petition has been started to “stop Southville roadblocks”. It’s already been signed by more than a thousand people, and the woman behind the petition, Liz Newton, was outside the Southville Centre on Tuesday afternoon to spread the word about it and the growing opposition to the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood.

The plan would divide the residential streets of Southville, from North Street to the river and from Asda to Greville Smyth Park, into four different zones but only if you are driving a vehicle. Just like with the controversial East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, that will be achieved with ‘modal filters’ planters blocking off the ends of strategic roads.

These allow cyclists, pedestrians and people on e-scooters to go through, but block local residents’ cars, ambulances and fire engines, vans and lorries. For the people of Southville, even those who don’t have cars themselves, things would be different.

Takeaway delivery drivers on mopeds would be fine deliveries coming in vans will have to go into and out of each zone, and round the two main roads to enter a different zone. The idea is people would have a nicer environment to walk or cycle, with less vehicle traffic on the no-through roads.