Councillor launches petition against park and ride on Bristol allotments
A petition has been launched against the idea of creating a new park-and-ride site on allotments in Bristol near the M32.
Plots of land in Stapleton are among several being looked at as potential locations for a new park and ride to cater for up to 2,500 vehicles.
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It is understood that sites further into the city are also being considered, along with land in South Gloucestershire. Although no decision has been taken, a petition has been set up against creating a park and ride on allotments in Stoke Lane.
Bristol City Councillor Lesley Alexander launched the campaign after she learned the allotment site was being considered, along with the field on the opposite side of the road.
Ms Alexander says the new facility should be created in South Gloucestershire instead.
She says the allotment site has some of the best agricultural land in the city and should be used for "growing food for the people of Bristol not disappearing under tonnes of concrete".
Ms Alexander says residents are worried about air pollution, and spoiling a historic area and the green belt.
She said: "None of the other park-and-ride sites in the city are as near to homes as this one would be and I have yet to find anyone in the local area who is not appalled by the idea.
"I urge the council to look at more appropriate locations and not just go for the easy option."
The allotment has 87 plots for domestic use, with 65 of them taken, as well as 20 smallholdings.
It is understood that the park and ride could be on two levels, with one level of underground parking.
Ms Alexander (Con, Frome Vale) has been told that the facility was due to open in 2011 but this has been delayed until 2013.
As well as direct access to the park and ride from the M32, she says access to it would also be needed from Frenchay Park Road.
She said: "Frenchay Park Road is the main road to the accident and emergency department and already ambulances have problems with queuing traffic. Frenchay Hospital may be due to close as an acute hospital and A&E will relocate, but there will be at least a two-year overlap."
Barry O'Rourke, 45, the site rep for the Stapleton allotments, says a park and ride woul be a disaster.
The production engineer, who lives in Stoke Gifford, said: "The allotment site is at capacity and a lot of works goes into getting them into shape.
"I think there may even be a covenant on the site stating it should stay as agricultural land.
"It would be an absolute disaster if it were concreted over. Where would they put us?
"The site is used by disabled people, including my father-in-law Gordon Thomas, and the food I grow there is relished by my children.
"It's where I go to de-stress and there is a lot of wildlife about – I've seen woodpeckers and deer there."
Bristol City Council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said: "The council is examining all potential sites within its boundary as part of a West of England Partnership exercise. The work only involves a technical survey of each piece of land for comparison with sites further out of the city."
Bristol already has park-and-ride sites off the Portway, in Brislington and in Long Ashton.
18 Comments
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by Chris Watts, Bristol
Friday, August 28 2009, 8:02PM
“Just searching for reasons that the M32 doesn't have a Park and Ride and found this old story, all I can say is what a bunch of NIMBY's”
by lorraine, south glous
Thursday, November 13 2008, 5:13PM
“south glous council have done may things for us have a look at there web site to see what they have done
what has bristol city council done ??nothing they stop anyone with good ideas wanting to better bristol”
by Nigel, North Bristol
Thursday, November 13 2008, 3:26PM
“Sorry I have to comment on the SouthGlos debate. South Glos were the reason the tram did not happen, they argued aover the terminus, they sold land off that was meant for park and ride, They sold of the henbury rail station property. They have no interest in helping the greater city, someone tell me one thing they have done towards the a greater Bristol transport solution.”
by Chris, Redland
Thursday, November 13 2008, 1:49PM
“Steve (South Bristol), you are right!
Bus solutions are both inefficient, non-green and worst of all will never solve our transport problems.
1) They get stuck in the traffic, as they are a part of it.
2) They probably cause alot of the congestion by stopping to collect passengers and take fares/issue tickets.
3) A bus does not offer the typical motorist a choice, we don't like them!
We need to use the existing rail infrastructure better and invest in it.
Lastly, we need pass control away from the local councils into a Greater Bristol Transport Authority, capable of taking strategic decisions.”
by craig, bristol
Thursday, November 13 2008, 12:46PM
“buses arn't so green after all then!
have to agree with Lorraine south glos council seem to have much more of a clue look at all the jobs they have bought to this area.”
by Paul, brislington
Thursday, November 13 2008, 12:25PM
“Lorraine, my preference is one authority that covers the city of bristol. Do you have anything more specific than "loads"?
Look at where the three Bristol park and ride sites are! what have South Glos been doing for the last 20 years?
I'm not sure what Council tax rates have got to do with it, as your council tax is only spent on local services within South glos. All it seems to point out is South Glos have a high council tax income which they don't spend on transport improvements.
I'm not claiming Bristol City Council are any better, I just believe that one authority would be better than two at solving the transport problems for Greater Bristol.”
by benjovi, Bristol
Thursday, November 13 2008, 12:12PM
“So having just been made "Greenest City"...there's a plan to reduce green space.
Idiots!”
by lorraine, south glous
Thursday, November 13 2008, 11:41AM
“they have done loads for south glous a lot more than bristol city council (go look at there history )and we have one of the highest council tax charges to pay for everyone else
you ask anyone which council they would rather be with”
by PJ, Brislington
Thursday, November 13 2008, 11:28AM
“South Glos have been resisting a park and ride at the top of the m32 for years! Bristol City Council may be fools but South Glos Council are no better. Can anyone actually tell me anything they have done to help public transport for Greater Bristol? Always looking after the interesting of the rural minority rather than behaving like part of the city that they are! Bristol should have one authority covering the all the city.”
by lorraine, south glous
Thursday, November 13 2008, 10:41AM
“sorry but i dont want to be part of bristol city council they are a bunch of fools and cant get anything right i think i will stick with south glous council they know what they are doing (well on most things )”