Parking bays axed to help social distancing
PARKING bays are being temporarily removed from three Bristol shopping precincts to help social distancing for pedestrians and cyclists.
The suspensions of vehicle spaces come into force in Clifton Village and St Marks Road, Easton, today in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Yellow lines have already been introduced along the eastern side of Bedminster Parade, with parking ceasing last Thursday.
In Clifton Village, drivers will no longer be allowed to park on both sides of Princess Victoria Street between Regent Street and The Mall, and on the east side of The Mall between Princess Victoria Street and Caledonia Place.
Motorists are also temporarily banned from stopping at most of the parking bays on the stretch of St Marks Road in Easton between Berwick Road and Henrietta Street.
In a Covid-19 email newsletter to residents, Bristol City Council said: “We are currently introducing measures to support social distancing across the city and make it safer for residents to travel on foot or by bike.
“These are designed to protect people from infection, keep us moving and create space outside shops for safe queuing ahead of non-essential shops reopening on June 15.
“We are accelerating plans for pedestrianising the Old City, which will help improve air quality in Bristol and create more space for cultural events and activities.
“We are also exploring sustainable transport options and assessing other areas of the city that could benefit from having pavements widened.”
Last week, a one-way system was installed on Gaol Ferry footbridge, marked by painted arrows and extra warning signs.
One side of the bridge allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross from Cumberland Road to Coronation Road, with the other side being the reverse.
The council says it will be monitoring the new measures to make sure they are effective.
Cabinet member for transport Cllr Kye Dudd said: “Our travel habits have changed dramatically due to the coronavirus.
“More people are walking and cycling around our city, while understandably, public transport and taxi use has dropped.
“As part of our major transport improvement plans, we have been looking at specific areas of the city that would benefit from pavement widening and the installation of measures to help social distancing.”