Bristol's 'showcase' bus route will hit our business, say traders
Bristol traders have attacked plans to create a new bus lane in Fishponds.
They are worried car parking spaces would be lost if the lane was introduced in Fishponds Road as part of multi-million pound "showcase" bus route into Bristol city centre.
Under plans unveiled to shopkeepers earlier this month, bus lanes would be added in Stapleton Road and Fishponds Road, bus stops and pedestrian crossings would be relocated and traffic signals would be changed to give priority to buses.
Owners of independent businesses between Straits Parade and Drummond Road, which has been earmarked for a new bus lane, say the changes would lead to the loss of several car parking spaces used by shoppers.
Esther Leung, owner of the Wok Inn Chinese restaurant in Fishponds Road, has gathered the views of 40 traders in the street and says 30 are worried about the plans.
She said: "Sometimes buses go past with only two or three people on them. Is it really worth putting a bus lane in?
"There are about 10 parking spaces outside Fishponds Park and it looks like they would be lost to the bus lane.
"Bus lanes have been introduced in other areas and it has been no good for local businesses. They make things easier for people to get to the city centre rather than attracting them to local shops."
Derek Milton, of Gamescene computer game shop in Fishponds Road, said: "I'm worried about losing parking spaces. People like to pull up here for 10 or 20 minutes and pop in to the shop. I imagine 80 per cent of my customers come here in a vehicle. They say the bus lane will help speed up public transport but I've never seen buses queuing along here to get into Bristol."
Gary Hillard, owner of Doug Hillard Sports shop, said: "It will cause chaos when all this work is carried out and there will be a lot of disruption. The other problem is the doing away of parking spaces.
"We have customers who stop in their cars and nip in for five minutes."
Lesley Alexander, Bristol city councillor for Frome Vale, said: "The proposals as they stand will remove a lot of parking spaces which the traders rely on. It will be devastating for Fishponds."
Jon Rogers, councillor in charge of transport in Bristol, said the introduction of showcase bus routes in other parts of the city had boosted trade in independent shops.
He said: "We had similar concerns about the bus lane in Gloucester Road and now traders are delighted with the increase in footfall.
"We need to make sure these concerns are addressed but the evidence from Gloucester Road and the A420 bus corridor is that businesses do better.
"What we are looking for is a thriving Stapleton Road and Fishponds Road and want them to be enhanced, not damaged."
The Fishponds Road showcase bus route is one of 10 due for completion by 2012 as part of a £70 million project by the West of England Partnership, which is made up of the four councils in the former county of Avon and responsible for big projects.
The partnership says the route has been designed to enhance public transport, cycling and walking and improve the appearance of the roads.
A consultation on the plans runs until April 9 and more information is available from the Project Information Office at 513 Fishponds Road.
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by Emmdee, Fishponds
Saturday, March 20 2010, 9:30PM
“My main concern is with the introduction of the notorius bendy buses - why do we need them? All that would be needed is to increase the number of our main buses, 48, 49, 4, 5, and so on.
That would make more people use the buses, as waiting time would be diminished.
Also, another aspect of our failing bus service is the prices - do many Bristolians know how much it costs to catch a bus in London?
You can travel anywhere in London ( not sure about the suburbs, my contact lives in Kingston upon Thames and commutes) for £1.50.
Our reliance on First is the problem, which our council has not addressed, and they still show great reluctance to deal with the fares problem. I would use the bus more often if it was cheaper and more reliable.
PS The Chinese restaurant/takeaway next to the Vandyke has been there since the early 1970s, in 1973 it was the Red Moon restaurant, run by Kwok P. Lam.”
by Captain Nemo, staple hill
Sunday, March 14 2010, 8:11PM
“Traders need not worry as car trade will be replaced by bus trade. I use the no.49 service when not on the bike and it's good. I can hop on and off with my day rover card and visit the shops.
For alternatives to the car to be successful, priority should be given to them (this is the 'stick' part). The carrot will be regular services, comfy buses and no hassles in jams that are created, for the large part, by single occupancy cars.
As far as running buses along the Railway Path, they should be run on the road to remove space for cars. Creating more space for cars, i.e.. new roads, only creates more congestion - cars fill the space so you end up back at square one, something I learnt in O level geography class, 1978.
Plus, it has engineering problems (I am an engineer) and will be horrendously expensive. Best leave it for cyclists and pedestrians as it's massively successful in that respect. If it ain't broke, don't let the west of england partnership anywhere near it.
Hedgehog & Jamie E - are you real or Evening Post journos?.”
by Jamie E, Stokes Croft
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:12AM
“Roger,
At this point in time, I agree, but never say never.”
by philip elliott, bristol
Friday, March 12 2010, 7:46AM
“and they will still be running late!!!bus lanes make the buses run notQUITE so late.Proof of this is routes 76/77 where 2 on each route will arrive at the same time on the centre in bedminster etc”
by Roger Roger, Bristol
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:33PM
“Jamie, Stokes Croft......
The Bristol-Bath railway path is already in use by cyclists and pedestrians.. To convert it to a light railwayline or tramlineis, in concept, a terrible idea. This is probably the only proper cycle path in the whole of Bristol.. It needs to remain that way for future generations to enjoy....
In fact, it should have some sort of preservation status as such.. Cycling really is one of the few sustainable forms of transport.”