News / Bristol Green Party
Proposals for upgrading parks and a new liveable neighbourhood
Greens are calling for funding for calmer and safer streets, upgrading parks and green spaces and a liveable neighbourhood in BS3.
Martin Fodor, Green councillor for Redland and Tony Dyer, Green councillor for Southville, are set to propose amendments to the council’s annual budget at full council budget meeting on Tuesday.
The amendment seeks to take £4m of unallocated developer contributions, held in reserve by the Labour administration, and spend it over four years on local streets and parks improvements to support neighbourhoods with the pressure of future growth.
“As the city grows we need to make its streets and parks fit for the future,” Fodor said.
“Investments in local streets would help make them safer and reduce the impact of more traffic, improving wellbeing by funding improvements like crossings, safe cycle storage, and planting new trees to provide shade and flood relief.”
Fodor is calling for more accessible parks with play equipment, drinking fountains, toilets or facilities for traders and better path maintenance – photo: Martin Booth
Dyer’s amendment would use unallocated transport improvement funds to develop a plan for a liveable neighbourhood in south Bristol. Liveable neighbourhoods are areas that are people-centred, safe, healthy, inclusive and with special emphasis on air quality and reliable transport, according to the council.
Speaking about his amendment, Dyer said: “In January 2022 WECA allocated £10m to Bristol for two liveable neighbourhoods. However the Labour administration have only brought forward plans for one, and used most of the remaining money for relatively low level street changes instead.
“This amendment would use remaining funds – money not allocated to anything else – to help develop a liveable neighbourhood as originally intended in south Bristol, in the BS3 area also sometimes called Greater Bedminster.
“Greater Bedminster is just outside the Clean Air Zone, has a key strategic route (the A38), and over the next ten to 20 years this part of Bristol will see some of the highest levels of development anywhere in the city.
“In my own ward of Southville the number of homes is expected to almost double. With limited street space, parking and traffic are already problems for many residents here – so work needs to start soon to support both existing communities and future residents.”
The East Bristol’s first liveable neighbourhood pilot, entered its second phase in autumn last year, comprising of Barton Hill, some parts of Redfield and St George, south of St George and north of the River Avon.
This piece of independent journalism is supported by NatWest and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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