Bristol's Green Magicians: Now Making Traffic Disappear (Poof!).
Abracadabra! Congestion Be Gone! (Or Moved?).
(Image - Wiki)
Well, blow me, if our splendid Bristol Green run council haven't turned into grand illusionists, to add a further trick to their repartee. Yes, making traffic disappear! It seems they've given the green light to a scheme that promises to make "traffic evaporate" from Park Street. Yes, evaporate! Like a puddle on a hot summer's day. They're spending a cool £15 million on this grand illusion, starting this October, all in the name of alleviating congestion.
According to the Bristol Post, and those of us with half a functioning brain, this scheme isn't "solving the problem but moving it." Who'd have thunk it? The plan involves widening pavements, adding bike lanes, and banning general traffic from Park Street. Cars can still access the street via side roads and park there, of course. The roundabout at the bottom of Whiteladies Road is also getting a makeover, shrinking into a smaller junction.
But, as with any good magic show, there are sceptics. Local business owners fear this could "kill Park Street," potentially forcing them to relocate. Conservative councillors, led by Mark Weston, warn that the traffic will simply be redirected onto Park Row and past the Bristol Royal Infirmary. "We're creating a problem, we're not solving it, we're just moving it," Weston stated, with a hint of understatement.
Green Cllr Rob Bryher insists, "There's been lots of literature that shows if you restrict through-traffic, then traffic just evaporates. It's part of transport planning that everyone understands." Huh, Everyone? Okay, add mind-reading to the Green repertoire now. Meanwhile, former Bristol councillor and Conservative mayoral candidate Steve Smith counters, “The business community have been very clear — this scheme will damage trade for local independent businesses and potentially force them to leave. Why do the Green councillors think they know more about what is good for someone’s business than the people who run them?”
Despite the outcry, only 315 people have signed a petition against the changes. Commenter Table For Two says, “Just like the doom mongers when Boyce’s Ave was closed - regularly predicting the ‘death of Clifton’, this is brilliant. Princess Victoria Street is shaping up nicely. Yes, it’s a change, but so often Bristol has lagged behind many other cities here & abroad by not taking bold steps to reinvigorate spaces. The only thing missing is an electric tram system, which would enable people to move quickly about the city. Bring it on!”
Eezergoood disagrees: “So Park Street is closed to cars. This means that the traffic will now have to go via Upper Maudlin Street and Anchor Road. What will happen to traffic flow if there is an accident on either of these roads that stops traffic? The traffic will not 'evaporate' as a lot is going through the centre and onward to other places. Public transport cannot replace this form of travel.”
Junius1 adds: “Road traffic will not simply 'evaporate' without a cleaner, more convenient mode of transport which can meet the majority of journeys cars would otherwise make. Buses are not this mode of transport. Trams in combination with buses, wheeling and walking might just do it. Otherwise, cars will simply be displaced onto other roads, causing congestion and pollution.”
Hoxtoncasual pleads: “Princess Victoria St and Joyce's Avenue are not major thoroughfares! This is nuts. Sign the petition.” Wilbur67 asks: “What about disabled drivers wanting to visit those shops, etc.? In some places in South Glos, where they have done similar, disabled parking bays have been added and blue badge holders can access them.”
Xsmiler adds: “Soon we won't have any roads to drive on. The government is quick enough to take car tax fees, but Bristol is becoming a nightmare with roads becoming one-way systems and closed to cars. Soon disabled people won't be able to park anywhere in the city centre, it's a joke.”
Dch4282 is angry: “So the 'consultation' was a con and the whole thing was already a done deal then, as this proves. Will it encourage me to wheel or cycle to get to Park Street? Or use a bus? In a word, no. In fact, nothing will. I won't be told by the council how to get around the city I live in, and I hope the scheme is a failure.” Fredxxxy adds: “Just provide an arterial road network that ensures smooth flow of traffic rather than introducing measures that result in congestion. Balanced and integrated forward planning has been woeful.”
Mattuk56 thinks: “People won't use alternative transport. They just won't go to Park Street. Then all the shops will shut down!”
BS8GR8 replies: “Oh come on! One of the largest carparks in Bristol, Trenchard St is a few meters from Park St and the West End Car park just off the triangle is about a 10-minute walk at most.” Berklicker writes: “Somebody should patent this traffic evaporation system quickly, it sounds like a real money spinner!” I know, let's bring back Marvin, now Lord Rees of Stapleton Road, he was full of genius ideas, wasn't he? You know, like an underground rail system. Couldn't we run that up Park Street to ferry traffic back and forth? Let him actually earn his £361 per day attendance allowance, plus travel expenses and subsidised restaurant facilities. You know, just for a change.
