Once again short-sighted Bristol City Council has implemented a scheme to "provide safe and unobstructed movement of traffic" around Ashton Gate on matchdays, by stopping fans parking in Winterstoke Road and the Cumberland Basin

As one of these fans that park on the "Basin" and indeed have done so for as long as I can remember (20 years plus), with no problem whatsoever, I find this implementation somewhat vexing.

In those 20 years I have never witnessed a serious accident on the Basin, so why is the council trying to fix a problem that is not broken?

I would also like to know the opinions of people living in the adjoining streets, who will now have to put up with hundreds more cars searching for parking spaces.

Will this decision result in fans not even bothering to attempt to turn up?

Methinks yes!

The decision will make it even more difficult for fans to get away from a stadium that is not the easiest to gain egress from at the moment.

Inevitably side streets will become choked with traffic all trying to get away, when at the moment all we do is walk to our car and are away swiftly.

For a match that occurs, generally every two weeks, sometimes once, for a duration of four to five hours, this does not seem a great deal of inconvenience to put up with.

Everyone in Bristol knows to avoid the Ashton area on match days.

I think the council should investigate the alternatives for access before it limits a substantial percentage of one mode of access.

How else do they think we will get to the ground?

Get the train? Stopped years ago!

Get the A Bus? Very limited and what there is is overcrowded.

Drive? Not now we can't park anywhere.

I would like to thank the council as I will now have to find another hour in my day to get to the footie on Tuesday evening to find a parking space.

I predict chaos on Tuesday.

Perhaps the council will reverse its decision ... NOT.

Simon,

Kingswood Red

YELLOW lines have appeared around Ashton Gate without consultation with the people most affected by them – the fans.

People have always parked wherever they can on matchdays – without inconveniencing or endangering anyone.

In fact, it has added to the "big match" atmosphere. When I'm down that way and see the jungle of cars on match days, I know I have to go steady, because the roads will be narrower and there'll be pedestrians about.

Not surprisingly, the main effect of these lengths of yellow lines will be to provide a good, clear run and encourage traffic to speed up.

This overkill makes one wonder whether the traffic boys in their offices are dreaming up schemes like this to keep themselves in a job.

Pat Brazier,

Horfield

WHAT a spiteful attack on City fans by denying them, and opposing teams' fans, parking around the area they have been using for years.

Surely before painting these double yellow lines, alternative arrangements should have been put into place.

As you say in the Comment column, there have been no major hindrances or incidents for years.

Any small congestion caused once a fortnight by fans parking is nothing compared to the increase in traffic problems that will be caused if Tesco is allowed to build a new superstore.

Sylvia Pavey,

By email.

WAS it debated? That was my question upon reading about the draconian decision to paint double yellows on almost any street within cheering distance of Ashton Gate.

Perhaps the other half of the decision is yet to come. The provision of extra parking, like the fields overlooked by the Long Ashton by-pass, normally offered to balloon fiesta visitors?

And what about doubling or tripling the park and ride bus service, augmented by a shuttle train service from Temple Meads to Ashton on the Portishead line?

Then, it might begin to add up, but not otherwise.

Bernard J Seward,

Bristol.

COULD the person in charge take the workmen up to the Promenade in Clifton?

This road is chaos during the day with cars parked opposite each other on the very narrow part of the road and also parked on the corners of junctions. Not only is it very dangerous to pull out of the side roads, it is impossible for buses to pass each other causing long tailbacks in the day.

Nick Gould,

Oldland Common.

SO, City fans, you know who not to vote for at the next council elections.

The continuing anti-motorist policy of Bristol City Council is now turning to making problems for soccer fans.

I have always considered the police very considerate towards Bristol City supporters regarding parking.

But obviously the occupants of the College Green Kremlin do not.

Dennis Franklin,

By email.

THE council says it is complying with a police directive which stops local people parking their cars. Where are people going to park now? Why wasn't this thought out properly?

With the new proposed football stadium for Ashton Vale, the rebuilding and reopening of Ashton Gate railway station should be fast- tracked. To sort out traffic problems in and around Ashton Gate, Bower Ashton, Long Ashton, Ashton Vale, this station should be built now.

David Wood,

Rail Maritime and Transport Union,

Bristol.

WHOEVER wrote the comment column "Heavy-handed road closures do not add up " (Saturday, September 26) is talking complete and utter twaddle and obviously does not live in south Bristol. If they did they would take the sensible option and walk to the ground.

Bristol City Council should be applauded for its actions in introducing yellow lines around the Cumberland Basin and Winterstoke Road. It is just a shame it has taken this long to do it.

The worrying thing is, if planning permission is granted to the new supermarket (I personally hope it is not) and football ground, then traffic on match days will be horrendous.

Simon Nicholls,

Southville.

THIS week's actions against the motorist include banning parking near Ashton Gate without providing an alternative, and closing an alternative route in and out of Portishead while the motorway is under severe restriction.

These follow closing the suspension bridge to cars on a Saturday when City had a home game, causing extensive tailbacks. I would urge all motorists to fight back by joining the Association of British Drivers.

Bob Bull,

Association of British Drivers.