Bristol council supports Park Street traffic restriction plans

Bristol's Park Street may soon restrict car traffic following a vote by the council's transport committee. The plan, backed by Green councillors, aims to limit the street to buses, cyclists, and pedestrians. The £15 million scheme hopes to reduce congestion and improve bus travel times. Green councillor Rob Bryher emphasized that studies show restricting through-traffic can reduce overall traffic volume. However, Conservative leader Mark Weston expressed concerns, stating that restricting traffic may simply shift it to other routes, creating new problems. Under the proposed changes, cars will still access Park Street from side roads but cannot drive straight through. The committee's vote showed support from Green members, while Labour abstained, and Conservative and Liberal Democrat members opposed it. The plan still requires approval from the West of England Combined Authority. Some local businesses are worried about the scheme’s potential effect on trade. Steve Smith, a former councillor, claims it may harm local independent shops. A petition against the project has gathered 315 signatures, far below the 3,500 needed for a debate. On the positive side, the increased pedestrian space has inspired local venues to consider hosting an arts festival. Councillor Ed Plowden reported that several local institutions are exploring this idea, aiming to enhance the area with cultural events rather than traffic.