News / South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood
South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood details expected soon
New details of the planned South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood are expected to be published “as soon as possible”.
Bristol City Council consulted the public in 2024 about traffic problems in Bedminster, Southville, Windmill Hill and Totterdown.
Since that consultation, transport chiefs at City Hall have written a public engagement report looking at the results of what people think which has been shared with Arup, a company working with the council on the project, but has not yet been made available to the public.
is needed now More than ever
Cross-party councillors on the strategy & resources policy committee have been urged to publish this report especially since the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood has proved controversial with complaints about its own public consultation.
Local activist Suzanne Audrey said at a recent committee meeting: “Public consultation is an important part of democratic engagement.
“I’m sure we all know there have been problems with Bristol City Council consultations in recent years; Western Harbour and East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood being examples.
“Currently, the public engagement report for South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, which I know exists, is not available to the public nor in particular the people of south Bristol.
“But Arup has seen it and they are developing interventions.
“Please publish the report, learn from previous mistakes and keep the public informed; and ensure their views are treated with respect.”
North Street will be within the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme – photo: Martin Booth
The aim of the liveable neighbourhood will be making streets safer and quieter, encouraging more people to walk or cycle instead of driving.
This includes improving air quality and access to shopping areas such as East Street and North Street.
Southville councillor and council leader, Tony Dyer, said: “I’ve spoken to the chair of the transport policy committee (Green councillor Ed Plowden), who is responsible for the delivery of the liveable neighbourhood in south Bristol.
“He’s reassured me that the report will be made public as soon as possible.”
Next steps will be consulting the public again, this time on detailed designs of how the liveable neighbourhood could be rolled out, at some point in 2025.
This could include installing planters and bollards to stop drivers using residential roads as rat runs, diverting them instead onto main roads. Driving routes could change but all of the area will still be accessible by car.
Bus gates are another option which block general traffic but allow buses and taxis.
More bike hangars could be installed to help cyclists safely store their bicycles, and better pedestrian crossings and new bike lanes might also be rolled out.
Actual changes to the roads are expected to be installed in 2026 and early 2027.
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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