Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Road closure ‘a huge lifeline’ to businesses
BUSINESSES on a Bristol street temporarily closed to traffic during the pandemic have welcomed plans to make the scheme permanent.
Since April, businesses on Cotham Hill were given extra trading space to support reopening amid Covid-19 restrictions.
Hospitality venues have been permitted to use outdoor seating areas following engagement by Bristol City Council that found more space for pedestrians and outdoor traders was a high priority for people living and working in Cotham.
Two parts of the road have been closed to through traffic – the section between Whiteladies Gate and Hampton Lane, and between Hampton Park and Abbotsford Road.
Although the closure was initially a temporary response to the pandemic, it has proven such a success that the council is now looking to make it permanent.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “The pedestrianisation of Cotham Hill has created an area free from traffic to help improve the local environment and support recovery from the pandemic.
“Feedback on the scheme has been overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of responses supporting the changes to give businesses and citizens more space, and improve walking and cycling journeys in the area. We continue to listen to feedback from businesses and the community to identify improvements that ensure the area is accessible to everyone.
“While the intention remains to make arrangements at Cotham Hill permanent, the road closure is currently under a Temporary Traffic Order and there will be further consultation on the design of the scheme before any permanent closure.”
The news has been welcomed by local businesses, many of them hospitality venues with limited indoor space for social distancing measures.
Claire Hurst, of Jon Hurst Hairdressing, said: “We love it. Closing Cotham Hill to traffic has made it a much calmer, quieter and safer environment which is reflected in our salon and is enjoyed by both our staff and clients.
“In addition, it has had a huge bonding effect on the local traders simply because we are all spending a lot more time outside enjoying the “cafe society” this initiative has
brought to the area. The combination of great local indie businesses and the pedestrianisation has made Cotham Hill a real Bristol destination and definitely increased footfall. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this becomes permanent.”
Ben Harvey, of Pasta Loco restaurant, said the pedestrianisation scheme on Cotham Hill had been a “huge lifeline to our business” especially at the time his restaurant was first granted permission to use the outdoor space.
“For us, it has meant that we can operate in safer conditions which
has been beneficial both to our customers and staff alike.
“It enabled us to reopen with relatively little stress and in turn getting our staff back in to work in an environment that they were happy to operate in.
“There have been those that have voiced their opposition to the scheme, and I can understand their frustration as it’s hard to please everyone.
“I think what’s important going forward with a permanent scheme is that we as a community sit together to work out how best the change can be rolled out to make sure all those are in favour of what happens.
“With the backing of the council, local residents and businesses Cotham Hill can become one of the most popular areas in Bristol to visit.
“As for the colder months ahead, we plan to make the outdoor space we have more weatherproof and in doing so bring some extra festive cheer to Cotham Hill this Christmas.”
Kieran Waite, co-owner of Bravas tapas restaurant, said: “The pedestrianisation has been a lifeline for local businesses during a really difficult time.
“It’s increased the character and appeal of the street and enhanced interactions amongst the community. I think one positive thing that may come out of the pandemic is Bristol joining more of an outside culture, even in the colder months. We’d fully support permanent pedestrianisation of Cotham Hill.”
Dan Williams owns Coffee + Beer, a coffee shop that also sells craft ales. He described the pedestrianisation of Cotham Hill as “a phenomenal success”.
“We have had our best ever summer months in terms of turnover and it has brought many new customers, who may not have noticed us before, into our shop.
“Because of this, we have created two new jobs and are looking to the future in a very positive way. Hopefully, the scheme is made permanent and we can adapt our offering to suit the colder winter months.
“However, regardless of how it has affected my business, the most important thing about the pedestrianisation is the fact that the road is much safer for all to use.
“I have spent the past four years watching many a near miss involving pedestrians, cyclists and cars and in the past five months since pedestrianisation, I have seen none of these incidents.”