Charging to park there is bonkers

“I have two rescue greyhounds and they (and I) really enjoy the peace, quiet and open space of Ashton Court - we go almost every day. I live in Southville, so not far away, but impossible for them to walk to Ashton Court from (too far, and along busy main roads).

Bringing in an initial £1 a visit charge would start to put Ashton Court out of reach for us. I agree with Dingslady about reversing the banning of cars on the grounds while introducing the small parking charge to be used for dealing with wear and tear.

It would also be nice to have some doggie facilities, like maybe a fenced safe area for training. After all, cyclists get an Olympic-standard set of mountain bike trails!”

“Response to Carla Denyer:

Your post clarifies a couple of points regarding potential revenue, and the fact that BEP excluded your point about blue badge holders and protection of on-street parking for local residents. These are only peripheral issues though.

Congratulations on your ability to be car-free in Bristol. I'm sure we would all love to be rid of the expense of insurance/road tax/fuel costs etc etc if we could. Of course it can be done, provided you are childless, live and work near a bus route, and don't mind limiting your leisure activities to those which can be achieved according to First Bus timetables and fares. But be honest, how often have you been able to spontaneously take yourself and your family, plus a day's worth of kit, out for a whole Sunday on Ashton Court relying on shanks pony, your bike, or the bus? And this article is about Ashton Court after all, not Bristol generally.

Car sharing is fine for commuting to work as it's easily arranged with colleagues who travel to the same place as you every day, but hardly a solution to taking a run out to Ashton Court when the weather permits.

I'm not a dog-owner, but I find your suggestion that since they're already walking, they might do so to Ashton Court to be patronising and irritating and, again, unrealistic given that many of them live more than a mile or two away. You know, there are many cyclists, of which you are one, who take their bikes to Ashton Court in their cars so that they can have a good ride without the hazards and obstacles of traffic - and the same goes for the dog-walkers and plain old strollers.

My reference to public servants meddling wasn't aimed at you, but at those in authority who introduced the traffic ban at Ashton Court in the first place, and then provided pitifully inadequate parking facilities which were never going to accommodate the number of cars that used to come on weekends. My suggestion was that people might accept a nominal charge for parking if you could still park down by the picnic areas.

Bristol City Council needs to learn one basic logic: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And you Ms Denyer, as well meaning as I'm sure you are, should try not to be too condescending on behalf of the party you represent.”

“Come to think of it, why does BEP need to cut readers letters published online? There's no space limitation here. The editing is gratuitous and misleading, because it is still presented as what the correspondent sent in.

Time for an apology, and a policy change.”

“It's understandable that the BEP should need to cut some letters to fit the available space.

But wouldn't it be simpler, and avoid misunderstanding, if the BEP simply marked edited letters with a symbol to show they're not what was originally submitted?”

“Thank you for your comments, Dingslady and swissbob. I am very sorry for the misunderstanding. Unfortunately the Evening Post have edited the end of my letter, but originally my last paragraph said:

"In their Alternative Budget Proposal for Bristol City Council, Bristol Green Party has proposed a review of parking costs at Ashton Court and Blaise Estate (with provisions for blue badge holders, and protection of on-street parking for local residents, of course), which would generate an extra £90,000 a year for council services, such as improved public transport across Bristol."

I hope that explains the contradiction in amounts of money, swissbob. The number I quoted was from the Alternative Budget Proposal (avaiable here: http://tinyurl.com/6rl6adp) which the Green Party team (including our two local councillors) has submitted as a formal set of recommendations for areas where the BCC's proposed budget could be tweaked. I don't know but I assume the "up to £200,000" quote that you have heard assumes also increasing parking charges in other places.

I also hope that my very important parentheses clear up some points: "(with provisions for blue badge holders, and protection of on-street parking for local residents, of course)". These are essential and key parts of our proposal, and of course the Green Party understands that not everyone can get there under their own steam. But the dog walkers presumably, if they are going there precisely to walk, could. And as someone who has lived in Bristol for years without a car, I have found that the combination of public transport, car-sharing, walking and cycling has served me very well. Of course, the bus services could be a lot better and a lot cheaper, and that is something the Green Party have been trying to make happen for a long time.

I am not a public servant, I'm just a member of the public who is also a supporter of Bristol Green Party, but not one of the two elected BCC councillors. Neither I nor the Green Party want to make anyone's life more difficult. The fact is, this proposed source of funds would make an astonishingly small impact on most people's lives, reducing car use IS important for this city's sustainability, and hopefully as a side-benefit might nudge some to pursue a healthier life and leave their cars at home more often. BUT the main point of the fundraising proposal is to avoid some of the terrible cuts that BCC will otherwise have to make to essential services.

Carla Denyer”

“I think Andrew Jardine has hit the nail on the head. The restriction of cars to the very small car parks has indeed deterred many from visiting. As a family, we used to enjoy pulling up at the side of the road, unloading our picnic baskets and chairs, and making a day of it with kites, frisbies, ball games etc. You can't do that now without making half a dozen trips back to the car.

As for Clare Denyer's rather snide comment about walking/cycling/jogging for those who are "serious about their health", and unhelpful suggestion to take public transport or car-share, what town does SHE live in? I mean, car sharing??? How does THAT work, then? The bus? Well, the extortionate fares (if you happen to live on a bus route) and the impracticality of carting all your kit with you, seem to rule that option out. She also suggests that money generated by charges will be put into the public transport system (which we've all come to learn is just a big black hole/money pit)! I do believe Ashton Court was given to the people of Bristol and they have been able to use it freely and easily for many years. Introducing a parking charge in the pitifully inadequate car parks will only cause other problems (parking in surrounding streets). I think they should reverse the banning of cars on the grounds, but introduce the small parking charge to be used for dealing with wear and tear. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that.

Things seemed to work just fine before; why do meddling public servants always have to go and spoil things?”

“I am a little confused now. BCC claims that the charges will raise up to £200,000, but the Green Party is using a figure of £90,000, including the Blaise estate. Which is it?

I am quite surprised to see the Greens supporting a policy that will discourage people from enjoying our open spaces. Suggesting that everyone can 'walk, cycle or jog' there is rather odd; there are many people who simply aren't able to do that, due to health, age, distance, lack of bike, children, dogs, disability etc.

The suggestion that others should use public transport or car-share is also unhelpful. I am sure that people would use the public transport to get there if it was convenient and fast, but that's only going to be true for relatively small areas of Bristol I suspect.

It seems to me that this has little to do with raising money and is more about discouraging car use. Call me odd, but I believe that it is the role of elected politicians to make life as easy as possible for the people they represent, not more difficult and more expensive. If some people feel that using a car is the best option, then that is what we should be facilitating instead of constantly targeting them.”