Your say / East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood
‘I will be watching closely to ensure the liveable neighbourhood trial benefits everyone’
I am one of two Green councillors representing the people of Lawrence Hill, one of the most deprived areas in Bristol.
As the person who represents the views of all residents here, the proposed East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood has been a huge challenge for me.
On the one hand, I am supportive of liveable neighbourhoods to improve air quality and safety for people to walk, cycle and enjoy their neighbourhoods across my ward.
Health issues such as asthma have increased in Lawrence Hill over the last decade, especially among young people, and residents here suffer from worse health and air quality despite having the lowest rate of car ownership.
I know that many people in the area want the scheme to be implemented so that they can feel these benefits.
On the other hand, I also have had serious concerns about the unwanted impacts of the scheme on some of my residents who have been very vocal in opposing the scheme.
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We said in 2023 that we believe in bringing everybody in the community with the council on this journey.
Under the previous administration, I worked tirelessly to address concerns from some of my residents – supporting the consultation process, holding meetings and trying to make sure that their views were heard.
I still feel that we could have avoided some of the current problems had the community engagement and development of the scheme better included local councillors and representatives from the community.
But the council is now under new leadership.
Since the election in May 2024 when the council became led by the Green Party, my colleagues and I have spoken continuously to residents and have been working with officers to make sure the scheme is as fair as it can be.
Due to this hard work, the council has introduced extra travel offers and bus gate exemptions to help people in the area adapt to the changes.
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Read more: Residents in liveable neighbourhood trial area to receive up to £350 of free bus tickets
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These offers and exemptions are being put forward because we want to be certain that those least able to shoulder any potential extra burdens are protected as the scheme is being introduced and the area adapts.
I support these new offers and exemptions and reiterate that once the trial scheme is finally installed, I and the council will be closely monitoring the impact on the local community.
I have an open mind about the scheme.
If the trial shows it’s having a positive impact on air quality, rat running and local congestion, and therefore improving residents’ lives, I will support the continuation.
If it causes the community more problems and doesn’t deliver these improvements, I will not support it going forwards.
We will also be able to suggest changes to the scheme after six months.
Barton Hill and the other areas in the scheme deserve to have safer, cleaner air and for it to be nicer and safer to walk and cycle, so I support the trial going ahead with these exemptions.
But I will be watching closely to ensure the scheme benefits everyone in the local community.
This is an opinion piece by Yassin Mohamud, a Green Party councillor for Lawrence Hill
Main photo: Green Party
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