Residents near a major emergency works scheme in Bristol claim that motorbikes are driving down a narrow pavement and creating a dangerous environment for pedestrians, creating a “nightmare”. The ongoing scheme, near Bedminster, is to enable emergency works to stabilise an embankment on the New Cut which has closed York Road to traffic.
The work is preventing the embankment on either side of the Langton Street Bridge, better known as the Banana Bridge, from collapsing into the river. The emergency work is expected to take up to two years to complete.
As a result, York Road has closed from St Luke’s Road heading towards the Bath Bridges roundabout. Pavement access has been retained and barriers placed to filter the amount of pedestrians passing through to ensure safety and minimise disruption.
However, residents who live near the road closure say motorbikes are being driven down these pavements and putting pedestrians at risk. One resident, who spoke to Bristol Live anonymously, said that he has been struck by a barrier as a motorbike passed through.
He said: “The motorbikes are using the pavement everyday, I counted 11 motorbikes which used the narrow path in just two hours. Since the first day of the closure [Monday, September 2] it has been a consistent problem for all of us, it is a nightmare.
“Barriers were put up, however motorbikes just push them out of the way. I’ve been struck by a barrier as a motorbike has driven through and I was abused by the rider for being struck as a result of him. It happened on the Sunday evening after the closure [September 8].
“It is dangerous for pedestrians and it feels like Bristol City Council don’t care. A councillor said that the council would put in an extra lane for cyclists and motorbikes however this has not been done.”
Since the scheme has been ongoing, a sign has appeared which said “no motorcycles on footway”. The resident said that it had appeared on September 25.
When the resident tried to raise concerns to the contractors on site, he alleges that a fence was installed the following day which went right to the very edge of pavement to stop complaints being made. The resident added: “There was never any intention to create a bigger path – they just went back on their word.
“The residents here feel let down and we have had little contact with the council or police regarding the emergency works or issues we have been trying to raise. The contractors just sit in their cars or turn off their lights at night and have turned their backs on us. We feel like an interference.”
The residents have also said that some contractors are not wearing PPE at all times, and in some cases the wrong PPE. This includes not wearing hi-vis jackets. It is also understood that multiple residents have raised issues to the contractors and to the council.
Bristol City Council declined to comment on the allegations which the residents have raised. However, it said that concerns with PPE have been passed on to the contractors, who have ensured that workers would wear the correct PPE.
Avon and Somerset Police said that the local neighbourhood police team were not aware of previous incidents regarding motorbikes on the pavement. The force added: “We’d urge anyone who encounters such issues to please get in touch.”
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