The council chief who ordered a major operation using private security and police to install two bus gates and planters to stop car traffic in the middle of the night in East Bristol has defended the action, after a dramatic morning on the roads of Barton Hill.
Cllr Ed Plowden issued a statement after the operation took place at six sites that form part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood that got underway at 3am this morning, Thursday, March 13.
Previous protests by local residents, particularly to try to stop council contractors installing a bus gate on Avonvale Road and what the council calls ‘modal filters’ on roads in Barton Hill, have delayed the implementation of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood since work began back in November.
Council chiefs said those delays have so far cost more than £50,000 in security and days lost during several thwarted attempts to create the ‘modal filters’ and bus gates around Barton Hill, but the council has said it does not have a cost for the early hours operation that shocked local residents.
Council chiefs and the council’s contractors ETM arrived at 3am to a number of sites, including two spots on Victoria Avenue, on Cobden Street and Dulcie Road, and at the junction of Avonvale Road and Marsh Lane, where a bus gate was to be installed.
Previous attempts have been met with staunch opposition from local residents, who have filled the streets and blocked the work from taking place. This morning in the early hours, the council contractors were supported by private security hired by the council and a large police presence, including the use of a police drone team.
In the event, a small group of women who live nearby, arrived on the scene at around 4.30am but could do little to stop the installation of the bus gates and the ‘modal filters’ – temporary planters and other street furniture which block roads for motor vehicles, but allow pedestrians and cyclists through.
Bristol City Council confirmed to Bristol Live that the council would not be paying Avon and Somerset police for the operation, which would have involved many police officers doing unsociable hours overtime, but were paying the private security guards who were supporting the contractors ETM.
“Contractors attended six sites in East Bristol this morning to install the infrastructure required for the Liveable Neighbourhood trial,” said Cllr Ed Plowden. “Officers from Avon and Somerset Police were on site to support the installation of the measures and facilitate any peaceful protest encountered. Five of the six modal filter sites have now been completed. The bus gates on Avonvale Road and Pilemarsh that have been installed are not currently live.
“We will give notice of when they are going to be in use and the large electronic signs will indicate whether they are operational. When the bus gates do go live there will be a period of ‘soft’ enforcement, when drivers will receive a letter in the post the first time they are detected contravening one of the bus gates, rather than receiving a fine. We recently announced a range of travel offers and bus gate exemptions to give extra support to households within the trial area. Further updates on the progress of beginning the trial will be shared with residents in due course,” he added.
Since the project’s conception back in 2023, through to the start of work last autumn, and the controversies, campaigns and protests in the five months since, no media in Bristol has reported more on the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood controversy. Here is a timeline of what’s happened since work first began in October:
- October 22: Work to start installing traffic restrictions for controversial liveable neighbourhood scheme
- November 20: Meet the residents who are celebrating the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial
- November 24: Protests continue against restrictions to motorists in East Bristol
- December 10: Thousands demand pause to controversial liveable neighbourhood in east Bristol
- December 11: Thousands sign petition as ‘entitled motorists’ protest against liveable neighbourhood scheme
- December 15: Fury as Bristol residents complain of ‘gridlock’ due to £6m ‘liveable neighbourhood’ trial
- January 10: Installation of Bristol liveable neighbourhood paused after protesters block contractors
- January 16: Frustration among both supporters and opponents of liveable neighbourhood as trial stalls
- January 27: Police called as residents block work to install liveable neighbourhood
- January 28: Council admits it is ‘impossible’ to carry on with Liveable Neighbourhood trial after protests stopped it
- January 31: Motorists driving on graves to avoid Liveable Neighbourhood congestion
- March 3: People in Liveable Neighbourhood trial area can claim up to £250 travel compensation
- March 5: Opposition to controversial East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood ‘will filter away’ say council bosses
- March 7: Council showing ‘utter disregard’ for Liveable Neighbourhood objectors
- March 13: Huge overnight operation completes Liveable Neighbourhood installation… almost