News / Barton Hill
Residents attempt to prevent contractors ‘closing road’
It all happened so quickly that one resident was still in her pyjamas.
But people power won the day on Thursday morning as a group of half a dozen women prevented council contractors from installing planters as part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN) trial scheme.
Waving banners and refusing to move from the top of Marsh Lane in Barton Hill, the women forced the workers to keep one planter hanging in the air, eventually putting it back on their low loader rather than near the junction with Avonvale Road.
As part of the EBLN pilot, 24-hour bus gates are due to be installed on both Avonvale Road and Marsh Lane.
But rather than “closing the roads” as some of the protesters claimed, the scheme aims only to restrict access for some vehicles.
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The women said they were prepared to stay all day to stop the workmen, one of who pleaded with them that he was just doing his job.
‘Access needed for all’ and ‘keep streets open’ read two of the handwritten banners written by the women, who had gathered at short notice close to the Banksy mural.
The direct action was also close to Barton House exactly a year since the tower block was evacuated.
Workers were prevented from placing one of the planters on Marsh Lane – photo: Martin Booth
Halima, a single parent who lives on Granville Street, said: “They are taking our rights away… and they are creating more traffic and more pollution.
“It’s not a solution to lock us in. It reminds me of lockdown.”
Fowsiyo, who lives in Ashmead House, added: “What they are doing here is ridiculous. It does not make sense…
“We are not happy with what they are doing. They have closed our eyes and now they want to close our mouths as well.”
Planters have already been installed in parts of Redfield and St George as part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood pilot project – photo: Martin Booth
The council website says that liveable neighbourhoods are “safe, healthy, inclusive and attractive places where everyone can breathe clean air, have access to better quality green spaces and safe spaces to play, and feel a part of a community.
“The improvements in a liveable neighbourhood aim to make it easier to catch a bus and to walk or cycle, with improved infrastructure and less through traffic.
“Designing changes with the local community means they’ll meet local needs, this is known as co-design.”
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
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