SPACE TO WALK
MORE STREETS TO BE PEDESTRIANISED TO HELP SOCIAL DISTANCING
MORE streets in the centre of Bristol will become pedestrian-only zones due to an ‘urgent need’ to provide more space for social distancing.
Bristol City Council said from next week, timed road closures will move to all-day closures.
From Monday St Stephen Street and St Nicholas Street will join Clare Street and Corn Street in all-day closures, except for a 5.50-10.30am loading window for businesses, Monday to Saturday.
And huge inflatable octopus arms have been brought in to hang above the Old City streets to highlight the major changes to the area.
A council spokesperson said: “The Old City road changes have been brought forward temporarily due to the urgent need to provide space for social distancing.
“But the aspiration is to make the changes permanent in early 2021, to reduce air pollution in the area in the long term.
“There will be public consultation before anything is made permanent.”
Lilly Drakoulakou, 32, is the owner of the Playground Coffee House in St Nicholas Street.
She said pedestrianisation had been a fantastic, positive out
It has made the street nicer and it feels more upmarket
Ben Edgerley
It has saved my business
Lilly Drakoulakou
come for them.
The coffee shop owner said their venue is only small and their concept was based on the idea of an adult playground, with people sitting next to strangers and playing a game with them.
“This was not feasible anymore [because of coronavirus] and my entire structure was based around that,” she said.
“I have five tables so I could have been running at full capacity with five people.
“I now have six tables outside which has allowed me to double the capacity.
“It has saved my business.” Ms Drakoulakou said she didn’t think she would have made the decision to reopen, for the time being at least, had it not been for the pedestrianisation.
“It is fantastic to see our council reacting so quickly to our needs because we are all in this together,” she continued.
Ben Edgerley, of Brozen Bar, also in St Nicholas Street, said pedestrianisation had counteracted some of the effects of coronavirus, adding it had brought some people back in.
“It has made the street nicer
and it feels more upmarket,” he said.
The business owner – who runs the bar with his brother Joe – said cars used to go down the street quite fast while it is now a lot quieter.
He said he would like to see more green in the area, with maybe some tree-planting.
Because of coronavirus, they had to operate at half of their capacity but their outdoor seating areas means they are only down by 10 to 20 per cent.
He said: “I think it should be done more widely in Bristol because it changes the feel of the street. It has been a positive change for us.”
In an event timed to coincide with Clean Air Day the council unveiled new art installations in the Old City to celebrate the work to improve the central environment, with other transport improvements including new city centre bike lanes and removal of through traffic from key roads like Bristol Bridge.
Over the coming weeks other temporary art from local artists illustrating the area’s heritage will join the inflatable artwork installed with Designs in Air today.
This week’s inflatable installation is from Designs in Air, and will be joined by other temporary artworks, all by local artists.
Mayor Marvin Rees said: “It has been an immensely challenging year, but we have moved quickly to try and capture the changes that lockdown brought to our air quality by bringing forward major transport improvements.
“I am delighted to announce that the Old City pedestrianisation will be ready for autumn in the next stage of our vision to transform Bristol’s transport network, creating cleaner air, safer and better public transport, and improved walking and cycling routes.
“By giving less space to traffic and more space to the businesses, visitors and shoppers in this historic area, we also look forward to seeing increased footfall to give the traders a boost amid the tough times we are all facing.
“We are committed to putting people, sustainability and environment at the heart of post-Covid recovery and cleaning up our air in the fastest time possible.”
The Old City road closures are initially being implemented on a temporary basis, with the intention to make the changes permanent in early 2021. The council is monitoring the impacts on the area and city centre as a whole and there will be public consultation before any change is made permanent.
Cllr Kye Dudd, cabinet member for transport and energy, said: “There may be some disruption as we all get used to the changes we are making to city centre roads, but it is essential we make big changes to reduce levels of harmful pollution. We would encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the extra space we are providing on walking and cycling routes across the city and to walk or hop on a bike for at least part of their journeys.”