Controversial plans to install a bus gate at one end of Park Street and a bus lane at the other will ‘improve bus reliability and increase footfall’, according to the council. The £15 million transformation scheme, on Park Street, forms part of the improvements to the number 2 bus route.
The scheme would create a bus gate at the top of Park Street, a bus lane from The Centre and more bus stops. Segregated cycleways, wider pavements and changes in the road network, in particular around the Clifton Triangle, would transform the area. Bristol City Council says the aim is to improve transport travelling up and down the iconic street.
Earlier this week, local businesses on Park Street said that they would have no choice but to move away. The independent businesses said that cutting traffic flow would ‘kill Park Street‘. Representatives of the council had told businesses that the work could begin in December.
But the council said that the plans, which are endorsed by FirstBus, would help ease traffic congestion and allow services running from Whiteladies Road to be more punctual. It added that as a result, Park Street would be better for pedestrians.
Councillor Ed Plowden, chairman of the transport and connectivity committee, said: “Our planned changes to Park Street aim not only to improve bus reliability and punctuality across the city, but also to encourage footfall by creating a better environment for pedestrians, introduce crossing points which are level with pavements, and create a series of public spaces with outdoor seating.
“The scheme is expected to generate income that can be reinvested in transport projects, and the demand created through the increased footfall is estimated to generate around 470 new jobs.
“Schemes similar to this, such as the transformations on Cotham Hill and Old City have seen improvements in the experience for shoppers and businesses, with a growth of journeys through both areas on public transport, and other active travel options.”
The council added that it was engaging with businesses which will be impacted by the proposals to understand their concerns.
“It would be devastating for Park Street”
But businesses on Park Street said it would be ‘devastating’. Michael Potts, the owner of Mrs Potts Chocolate House, said: “It would stop the traffic flow, it’d be devastating for Park Street, it would be a lot worse for the businesses. Cutting traffic ends up killing an area.”
The operations director of Audio T, Tony Revelle, said: “The council is putting barriers to people visiting the city before people even get into Bristol. Why not have timed restrictions rather than close off the street entirely? You can’t uninvent the car.”
Mike Territo, of Territo Tailoring which has been at Park Street since 1981, said: “Overall it will make Park Street a less attractive prospect to travel to.
“I’ve spoken to a few of our customers and the general consensus is people won’t want to visit the city and to visit Territo. It would make people think twice about the journey coming to Bristol.
“There isn’t a problem to be solved, there isn’t an issue. We look out the window and there’s cars going by. We’re talking about a flowing street of people who work here, live here, travel here.“
The Save Park Street group have launched a petition and businesses on the street have plastered windows with posters calling for people to sign.