Conservative Leader Councillor Mark Weston will be making the case against the proposed new road restrictions which will prohibit private vehicles from accessing Park Street, one of the city’s most historic shopping strips.
A decision is due to be made by the Transport & Connectivity Committee on Thursday, 20th March, on whether to approve the Full Business Case for the central section of the A37/A4018 transport corridor upgrade.
This is a major project which aims to enhance public spaces and improve bus journey times for the No.2 Bus Service, by installing a bus gate at the top of the hill and creating a dedicated bus lane running up to it from the city centre.
However, critics of this part of the scheme warn of a dire economic impact for local businesses arising from the loss of passing trade. They also point out that prohibiting cars from using this route will deter people from visiting the shops on Park Street or central Bristol and create congestion on an already strained road network.
Many independent businesses have already threatened to shut up shop should this revamp go ahead.
If approval is given to submit these plans to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) later this week, implementation work could commence in October 2025 for scheduled completion in March 2027.
Now, Cllr Weston will be on the policy committee determining this issue and intends to oppose these proposals.
Cllr Weston (Henbury & Brentry) said: “Conservative colleagues have previously identified many of difficulties and problems with design aspects of this infrastructure project.
“But, surely this closure proposition to most vehicles represents one of the most absurd ideas ever considered to alter traffic flows.
“Aside from the obvious negative economic consequences to those businesses based in Park Street, it will create congestion in other parts of an already strained road network.
“We only have to look at how much anti-car policies and restrictive parking has decimated Broadmead as a shopping destination to see where this latest development leads. Every time the Council does something like more and more people start shopping elsewhere like Cribbs Causeway.
“So, I much prefer to rely on the judgement of those who actually provide customers with valued goods and services, rather than the ideologically driven fantasies. In this matter, decision makers are being clearly told to reject and amend this pedestrianisation plan.
“Either we send the message that Bristol is open for business by demanding a redesign which takes into account the legitimate concerns of business owners, or the city will become a no-go zone for many of its residents.”