News / The Downs
Calls to close road through the Downs to stop joyriders
Closing a road through a popular park to cars “could stop joyriders” from damaging the grass and benches.
Renewed calls have been made to consider closing the Circular Road in the Downs after an apparent rise in anti-social behaviour such as driving donuts on the grass.
The Downs committee, formed of councillors and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, previously called on Bristol City Council to close the road, which runs around the outside of the large park. This call went unheeded, and the road has stayed open, for now.
is needed now More than ever
But after hearing from concerned local residents about the rising problematic driving, the committee said the closure should once again be considered.
There are renewed calls to close a road running through the Downs to try and stop joyriders – photo: Tony Nelson
The committee met on Monday when they heard from several people who live nearby about their concerns.
Tony Nelson, who leads the Protect the Downs campaign, said: “What cost estimates have you done for really simple and quick measures that will stop the dangers to life of people driving on the grass at 50mph? Posts such as those down Ladies Mile can be quickly and cheaply inserted.”
The Downs committee oversees the running of the park, but doesn’t have the powers to close the roads there. This could be taken by councillors on the transport policy committee. Ladies Mile, another road through the Downs, closed for a day during the summer as a trial.
Conservative councillor for Stoke Bishop Henry Michallat, lord mayor and Downs committee chair, said: “The situation with joyriding and people driving on the Downs is ridiculous and is harming the grass.
“There isn’t the ability to have an ongoing police presence, however I believe that over the summer there has been a slight increase in the police presence — but nowhere near enough.”
Mike Bothamley, a Merchant Venturer, added: “Probably two years ago this committee resolved to ask the council’s highway authority to close off Circular Road, save for emergency and disabled access. This would enable cyclists, runners and pedestrians to use it, but nobody else.
“Closing Circular Road could have a real material impact on reducing the ability of these guys to get onto the green sward.
“That proposal though would immediately give rise to a number of objections from single-issue pressure groups. So we’re in between a rock and a hard place.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
