Bristolians concerned about parking but keen to support local businesses, Town Survey reveals
People in Bristol are more concerned about parking than drivers in most other areas of the country, according to a new nationwide poll.
However, the first Town Survey conducted by localpeople.co.uk also found that Bristolians are more likely than other areas to choose to shop local and support independant businesses on the High Street.
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Kingswood High Street
LocalPeople polled more than 5,000 people across their network of 165 community sites to reveal how local residents feel about the towns in which they live.
Two in five people said that poor public transport made them dependent on their cars to get about, despite the fact that parking provisions in many towns were unable to keep up with the increasing amount of traffic on the roads.
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Diane Wehrle, research director at Springboard, noted that footfall in town centres had declined by around 20 per cent over the last five years.
She added: "This can in part be explained by the availability of free and plentiful parking at out of town shopping locations."
Difficulties with parking are perhaps part of the reason that residents in Bristol are keen to support independent retailers, with a fifth of people polled choosing to shop on their doorstep.
In 2011 chain retailers reduced their numbers by 0.25 per cent, while independent businesses grew by 2.4 per cent.
Clare Rayner, Retail Expert, said the rise of independents in the wake of the fall of many multiples was evidence of "a long-term and sustained shift in consumer preferences".
She added: "Gone are clone towns, consumers have voted with their feet, local people want a relevant, local, engaging and inspiring shopping experience."
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Comments
by DockLobster
Thursday, April 05 2012, 9:35AM
“I wish the Police would ticket cars which are parked on the pavements.
but sadly they can't be bothered.”
by J12345678
Thursday, April 05 2012, 12:09AM
“BCC madness strikes as I've seen Whiteladies parking bays with double-yellow lines about one car-length between. Look outside number 100 for prime example of loony logic.”
by KBillies
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 6:35PM
“This was a case when the local authority got right and credit to the people who argued with no little courage for this to happen in Cabot.”
by DM_Fishponds
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 3:32PM
“@KBillies - "Residents' parking in Cabot has been a rip roaring success despite initial doubts. One example of this is less difficulties in the school run."
Please explain your rather brief but sweeping statement?”
by brs_traffic
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 3:23PM
“The articles claim that difficulties in parking are making people shop locally doesn't make sense and show either prejudices of the author or just ignorance. There aren't parking problems at asda bedminster, tesco eastville or any of the other big supermarkets.
The other point is the idea that "parking hasn't kept up with traffic". If you look at any shopping street, such as Whiteladies or Gloucester Road, traffic down a road and parking on a road are in direct conflict. If you want to support more traffic, put in double yellow lines and enforce it to have extra lanes. If you want to support more parking, you have to find somewhere to put it.
Sometimes the BEP's lack of understanding of how city transport works is painful.”
by KBillies
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 12:35PM
“Residents' parking in Cabot has been a rip roaring success despite initial doubts.
One example of this is less difficulties in the school run.”