Results from a survey on the newly pedestrianised zone on Cotham Hill show overwhelming support for keeping the zone in place.
Residents were offered three options on the future of Cotham Hill. Option A and B proposed continuing with the road closure with slight variants, while option C would see Cotham Hill reopen but only for one-way traffic.
- The clear winner was option A, with 63 per cent of people choosing it.
- Option B came in second with 27 per cent, meaning 90 per cent of people are in favour of keeping the road closure in place along with a series of other measures.
Marvin Rees, Mayor for Bristol, said:
The strong support shown for the approach taken on Cotham Hill speaks volumes for what residents want from their local areas. Our approach here has been to try to find a better balance between how streets are used for transport and people, while boosting local businesses. These results show clearly that we’re on the right track.
Cotham Hill is one of a number of projects we’re working on across the city, to deliver that balance between liveable neighbourhoods with less traffic and pollution that also support local businesses to thrive. There is no one-size-fits-all model, and these results demonstrate it’s important we consider each area on its merits. It’s fantastic that the scheme has been so well received, and I look forward to seeing Cotham Hill continuing to thrive.
The council will look to take option A forward, which on top of keeping the road closure, includes retaining space for businesses to trade outside, widening a number of pavements, and making a series of one-way routes to reduce through traffic.
It also includes creating a school street outside SS Peter and Paul Primary School, which would close part of Aberdeen Road at drop-off and pick-up times, making it safer for children to walk, cycle and scoot to school.
Other measures, such as bollards, planters, blue badge parking, cycle lanes and cycle parking, would also form part of the proposals.
Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, commented:
We need to transform the way we travel in Bristol, to ease congestion, reduce air pollution and ensure our local economy continues to thrive.
This can be achieved by enabling a good mix of transport options which includes increasing the number of journeys we walk, wheel or cycle, and using public transport as much as we can for longer trips. That’s why it’s so important that local communities can enjoy their neighbourhoods and are safe while out on Bristol’s streets.
The results of our Cotham Hill survey show there is willing to change the way our roads are used, and it will be fantastic to see the plans take shape.
The temporary road closure will remain in place to through traffic between Whiteladies Gate and Hampton Lane, and between Hampton Park and Abbotsford Road on Cotham Hill.
A number of formal consultations on the proposed road closures will take place towards the end of 2022. In the meantime, the detailed designs for the scheme will be drawn up.