Bristol City Council is set to implement a major low traffic neighborhood (LTN) in a bid to reduce car usage in the city.
Bristol is a Test Site
The £6m East Bristol Livable Neighborhood trial will see traffic barred from several key roads in the east of Bristol, with the installation of over 12 “modal filters” and “pocket parks” that will allow only certain modes of transport to pass through.
Bristol is a city in England, The United Kingdom.
The LTN, which could become permanent by 2025, will cover a two-mile area that includes Barton Hill, Redfield and St George.
The initiative is part of the council’s plan to reduce car journeys by 40% by 2030 to achieve its net zero targets.
This move follows similar policies implemented by other Labour councils aimed at reducing the number of cars on the road. T
Strategy in Place
The London borough of Southwark has raised the price of its parking permits by almost 400% as part of its strategy to reduce vehicle numbers, while the Labour boroughs of Islington and Lambeth have also introduced similar price increases. Meanwhile, Hackney borough council is planning to create three quarters of its borough’s roads into LTNs, and Birmingham city council will bring in traffic reduction measures across a third of the city.
However, Bristol’s initiative has raised concerns among some residents and campaigners that it could restrict access for disabled people, while others fear it could push traffic to other roads.
David Redgewell, a transport campaigner from the Bristol Equalities Network, stated that the issue was about access and making sure the streets were open to disabled people.
“All Areas Will Be Accessible”
The council assured that all areas would be accessible, and residents would be allowed to drive in the area, while delivery and emergency service vehicles would also be permitted.
The plan also involves the installation of gates that stop private car traffic but allow through buses, while several roads will be converted from two-way to one-way in an attempt to ease congestion.
The Bristol City Council’s plans are expected to be introduced in autumn.
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