News / Barton Hill
Police ‘facilitated roll-out of council-led scheme’ in Barton Hill
There has been heavy criticism of why dozens of police officers attended Barton Hill in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Police say they “facilitated the roll-out” of infrastructure needed as part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial.
By daybreak, a new bus gate had been installed on Avonvale Road and new planters placed on Victoria Avenue among other locations.
is needed now More than ever
“Hiding at night, escorted by police. Modern democratic Britain,” wrote Mateusz Wrobel on Facebook.
“Dozens of police, yet where are they when you need them?” asked Albert Peters.
Louis Harris said: “Shows you’re really doing something for the people when you have to do it under the cover of darkness with a police escort.”
Christopher Stock added: “Do what we say, not what you want. Utterly deplorable reaction from a bullying council.”
Gillian Bailey wrote: “How did they manage to get that many police there at that time? What was the cost of their presence?”
Neil Baker replied: “Put in a f.o.i. request. They don’t attend all burglaries, there’s a stabbing epidemic, but they can turn up mob handed for this crap! Absolute joke.”
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But there was also approval that the infrastructure for the scheme was finally being installed.
“Finally!” said Al Ó Baoighill. “Good work, but shame it had to come to that. Let people get on with their job in peace.”
Liz Read said: “I live in the LN (liveable neighbourhood) and I’m overjoyed they picked this area.
“East Bristol is usually forgotten by the Council. It seems very appropriate to start with an area where 48% of people don’t have access to a car.
“The people with cars can still drive them, but many people are making wiser choices now.”
Lili Pof added: “Fantastic – the 6 month trial is getting closer to starting.
“Once this is fully implemented then we can really see if it is having the desired impact.
“The Anti-EBLN minority group want less traffic, but they want to encourage driving!
“With logic like that you realise that there is little point in attempting meaningful dialogue with them.”
The bus gate on Avonvale Road was installed early on Thursday morning but is not yet operational – photo: Martin Booth
An Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We attended the Barton Hill area at 4am today to facilitate the roll-out of a council-led scheme.
“While in attendance, a peaceful protest of approximately ten people mustered.
“Officers engaged with the protestors and they facilitated a peaceful protest while work was carried out.
“Officers left the scene at around 6am.”
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport & connectivity committee at Bristol City Council, said: “Contractors attended six sites in east Bristol this morning to install the infrastructure required for the Liveable Neighbourhood trial.
“Officers from Avon & Somerset Police were on site to support the installation of the measures and facilitate any peaceful protest encountered.
“Five of the six modal filter sites have now been completed.
“The bus gates on Avonvale Road and Pilemarsh that have been installed are not currently live. We will give notice of when they are going to be in use and the large electronic signs will indicate whether they are operational.
“When the bus gates do go live there will be a period of ‘soft’ enforcement, when drivers will receive a letter in the post the first time they are detected contravening one of the bus gates, rather than receiving a fine.
“We recently announced a range of travel offers and bus gate exemptions to give extra support to households within the trial area.
“Further updates on the progress of beginning the trial will be shared with residents in due course.”
Main photo & video: Fadumo Farah
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