Liveable Neighbourhood Date set for decision on future of traffic trial

A DECISION is due next March on whether the controversial East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial will become permanent. After the trial has been in place for six months, data will be analysed and then published in December, with a decision on its future made next spring. The scheme covers parts of Barton Hill, Redfield and St George, with bollards, planters and bus gates blocking some roads. Drivers can still access the whole area, but some residential streets have been turned into cul-de-sacs in an effort to stop them being used as cut-throughs.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

Bristol City Council will survey the public about the trial from September 29 to November 7, and use the results, along with traffic counts and air pollution monitoring, to inform what happens next.

An update was given to the transport policy committee. Green Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the committee, said: “We've been collecting data for about two years already. [April] was when the vast majority of the measures went in, so we'll be collecting data based on that for six months. Then it will take us time to look at that data, evaluate it and decide on the best course forward.”

Interviewers from an independent polling company will phone households and knock on doors across the trial area this autumn, asking for views on the scheme. The West of England Centre for Inclusive Living, a disability organisation, will carry out an accessibility audit too. But the trial still has vocal opposition from critics, who say the scheme is very unpopular.