Bristol Live readers are having their say on Gloucester Road – which is notorious for having the most parking fines in Bristol this year – following a business that has slammed Bristol City Council, branding them as nothing short of “gangsters” for attempting to rake in cash through what they deem to be poorly communicated parking rules. Shopkeepers have described the parking signage on the road as downright ‘confusing’.
Data obtained by Bristol Live through a Freedom of Information request disclosed that Gloucester Road had 3,375 penalty charge notices slapped on vehicles in 2023 alone, with the Bishopston area accounting for 2,335 of these, while 1,040 were from the Horfield end. A stringent no-go zone between 4.30pm and 6.30pm disallows any form of parking or stopping along the road.
Diego Godoy of Artigo is among the frustrated business owners who say the current signs are misleading customers about the parking restrictions. Godoy expressed his concerns: “I’ve had customers unaware of the parking restrictions because the sign isn’t clearly visible.”
He elaborated on the hotspot timeframe for wardens issuing tickets, mentioning, “Especially from 4.30pm to 6.30pm is when wardens start ticketing people so people who are unaware might be shopping and come back to their car and find out they have a ticket. If I see them park, I warn them as I see lots of people get ticketed.”
Godoy also shared his observations and efforts to assist the puzzled public, saying, “Occasionally when I am bringing things into my store I’ve seen people try and understand the signs and they get confused. I’ve had to explain to them that they need to park in another spot nearby.”
One of our readers, Ron Young thinks: “People who cannot understand parking regulations should consider revoking their driving licences.”
Dis1954 disagrees: “You have forgotten the one principle of signage, it’s there to inform, every sign must be able to be read and understood, if you are doing 30 I defy you to read all these restrictions and be safe to drive, secondly if you stop to see what the restrictions are, the camera will give you a ticket for stopping where you shouldn’t.”
Ezergood replies: “So slow down and observe properly. 30 is the maximum limit, not a minimum.”
Dbanderson adds: “Oh I think you’ll find we can read and understand them. It’s just easier to ignore them. There are 10000s of people driving around with no MOT, tax, insurance or license, do you genuinely think a sign about parking will make any impact?”
Thecookedsock writes: “If those signs are confusing, then it’s probably best if you leave the car at home.”
Covid-51 thinks: “That looks like the Covid announcement by Boris Johnson. ‘You can park here, but don’t park here. Unless it’s under these particular times. But don’t go this way, go that way’.”
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Stevensrocks says: “If you can’t figure out a simple sign, then maybe you don’t have the critical thinking skills needed to operate a vehicle. May I suggest buying a bus pass?”
No nonsense Yorkshire comments: “They’ve got cameras up and most of the time you don’t see a parking warden coz it’s all done remotely. All designed for maximum revenue and minimum cost to BCC! Apparently, it’s to preserve the bus route. Well, I can honestly say that I can’t remember the last time I saw a bus actually use the bus route on Gloucester Road. Good ole BCC. The most ‘anti-business’ local authority in the region.”
Ezergood retorts: “Difficult to drive a bus down a bus lane that’s filled with parked cars.”
Jonty2 believes: “Signage is fine but don’t make the mistake of thinking the Council are using their powers for anything else other than revenue generation. Climate challenges and helping local businesses are way down on their priority list in comparison.”
Afternine says: “To be fair the signage looks unambiguous to me.”
Dbanderson adds: “I’d argue that the council is the bad apple. 6500+ fines would suggest the council is doing something wrong.”
So what would you suggest is the best solution to the issues on Gloucester Road? Let us know HERE or in the comments below.