News / Transport
Council leader ‘regrets’ how liveable neighbourhood rolled out
The leader of Bristol City Council says he regrets how the implementation of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood has been handled.
In March, dozens of police joined council contractors from 3am to install part of the trial scheme in Barton Hill.
It followed contractors being prevented from doing their jobs by some residents, with a note currently fixed to one planter on Avonvale Road saying the scheme “has been forced on us against our communities (sic) wishes”.
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Speaking on Politics West, council leader Tony Dyer said he thinks “there are definitely lessons to be learned”.
He added: “Do I personally regret? Yes, I do. You never like to be in the situation where you are coming into conflict with people.
“You often have valid concerns. However, I don’t think that we are ever going to please everybody with everything we do.”
Dyer said that the new Green-led administration should have looked more closely at whether “everyone who needed to be involved had been involved”.
“You never like to be in a situation where you are coming into conflict with people who often have valid concerns, and you want to try to find a way to address those.
“Liveable neighbourhoods are a controversial topic. Some people are very much supportive, other people are very much anti.”
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In response to Dyer, Barton Hill resident Melissa Topping tweeted: “Great, admitting it is one thing, now get rid of it please!
“East Bristol deserves better than to be left with a mistake. We are not here to be lessons learnt. These are our lives and livelihoods you’re putting at stake!”
The account of the Bristol Somali Community Association tweeted that “regret isn’t enough for the residents of Barton Hill”.
“The leader of @BristolCouncil knew the problem. We explained to him as soon as he became the leader of the city.
“Like (the) previous leader, he’s pushing this scheme against the will of the residents.”
The bus gate on Marsh Lane was installed under cover of darkness in the early hours of the morning – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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