'Really good scheme' Plans to shut city street to traffic are approved

PLANS to close a city centre road near the Hippodrome to cars in a bid to boost the hospitality trade have been approved.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

Denmark Street will be made more pedestrian-friendly

Denmark Street will soon be shut with space on the road given over to restaurants to have outside seating, with more space for pedestrians to walk.Denmark Street has narrow pavements and is often used as a rat run. But there are many people walking along the street, with the O2 and the Beacon also nearby. One major concern is the impact on disabled people, but they will be able to park behind the Hippodrome.

Just the eastern section of the street will be closed, from the Ciao Amici restaurant to St Augustine's Road. The transport policy committee approved spending £820,000 on the project, but this first needs to get approval from the West of England Combined Authority as well.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Nicholas Coombes said: “Seeing the drawings has reassured me that it is indeed possible to get to the accessible entrance of the Hippodrome by vehicle, if that's what people choose to do. I now think that this is a scheme worth supporting.”