Residents 'not told' of Bristol ring road
A councillor claims people in his south Bristol ward are being kept in the dark about plans for a new ring road link.
Tim Kent (Lib Dem, Whitchurch Park) says they have not been properly consulted by the West of England Partnership, which is responsible for strategic transport projects.
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He is now delivering a letter to around 4,000 households, telling residents how they can take part in the consultation process.
He says he asked a senior Bristol City Council officer for 4,000 copies of the partnership's consultation leaflet and was refused.
The partnership – made up four local councils, including Bristol – wants to link Hartcliffe with the Long Ashton bypass.
No precise route is being proposed yet. But the partnership is seeking views on the general principle of a road link – and whether a rapid transit bus link should be included.
Exhibitions showing people what is planned were staged in November.
The staffed displays were in Hartcliffe, in Long Ashton and in Ashton Vale. Unstaffed events were held at other venues, including the @Symes building, in Hartcliffe and Bishopsworth Library.
"None of this was in my ward, and no one told people in Whitchurch Park that these events were being held. But they will be affected," Councillor Kent told the Bristol Post.
"Like it or hate it, the idea of a ring road link is a really important issue to people in south Bristol.
"I just want to make sure that the residents of my ward get a chance to respond and have their views taken into account.
"I was amazed and shamed that the council refused to allow copies of the document to go out to local residents who will be directly affected by these proposals."
When Mr Kent asked the city council official for copies of the leaflet, they emailed him to say: "Pamphlets were not printed for distribution to every household as all the information is available to all at no cost on the website."
With help from friends, Mr Kent is braving the cold weather to deliver his letter, explaining how to access the consultation process, to 4,000 homes over the next few days. The consultation period ends on January 30.
The councillor believes up to 80 per cent (four in five) of local people are against a ring road, partly because its route could divide communities.
"But whether they support it or object to it, I want them to be able to have their say," he said.
The leaflet produced by the partnership to give people an opportunity to comment on the options says: "We are near the start of a long process and will keep people informed as we progress this project.
"Next year we shall carefully consider comments received and carry out more work looking at environmental issues, as well as examining costs and benefits of the different options in more detail.
"We shall identify the preferred option emerging from this work."
Julia Dean, of the West of England Partnership, said: “It’s a shame the councillor didn’t go to the organisation which was running the consultation.
“The partnership, specifically its North Somerset and Bristol areas, is doing this because the south Bristol link is so important to the regeneration, growth and development of these two areas.
“News of the consultation exercise has been in the Evening Post and we have been out to specific community groups as well.
“The officers involved in consultation have been in touch with councillors. As a councillor, Mr Kent will have been keep informed.”
City council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said: “Councillor Kent was provided with a West of England contact for the consultation when he was invited to briefings and this would have been the correct contact to discuss the consultation with.”
It is unlikely work would start before 2013 and there would be further public consutlation before planning permission was granted, says the leaflet.
For more information, says the partnership, contact transport@westofengland.org or call 0800 019 3235.
20 Comments
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by spike, bs5
Monday, January 05 2009, 2:35PM
“"It is unlikely work would start before 2013" sugests its already a "done deal" .In my experience of dealing with planning issues ,any plans for consultation are just to fulfil the obligation to consult and will have little or no effect on the outcome.”
by Tim Kent, Whitchurch
Monday, January 05 2009, 8:11AM
“Thanks for the comments.
Just to correct the Evening Post story - Symes Avenue is in my ward - this was a simple display and that is not my idea of consultation.
Have found some of the more political comments interesting - clearly some people will always put political comments first - even before the right of residents to be consulted on schemes that will affect their community.”
by JG, speedwell
Sunday, January 04 2009, 11:39PM
“Having previously lived in Withywood I would have thought the ring road link will help to underpine some much needed investment into the south bristol economy. Some of the new developments there such as the cinema are struggling to stay afloat. I wouldn't expect a lib dem to bother to look at the bigger picture though - there's a bandwagon and he's getting the driving seat!”
by George, Bristol
Sunday, January 04 2009, 10:55PM
“Bristol doesn't need a ring-road.. Bristol needs improved public transportation - get people out of their cars.”
by hayley, yate
Sunday, January 04 2009, 9:24PM
“my nans lives in bishopsworth and has been told that her house may be bought under compulsory purchase in order for this extension to go ahead, that however was about 9 months ago, she has heard nothing more since then, so this news comes as a big surprise to me. i shall let her know asap”
by Graham, Bristol
Sunday, January 04 2009, 8:48PM
“Sadly, but predictably, Cllr Kent does not know that the @Symes Centre IS in his ward - the bit that he seems to ignore because they don't vote for him. Oh, and welcome back after 2 years - where have you been?”
by Jack, Hartcliffe
Sunday, January 04 2009, 7:04PM
“I feel a bit sad that people think they have not been consulted, the idea of consultation for most of us is to be informed,
most people think it is getting what you want, maybe thats why the link road is so emotive far too many people either want it as they can't get about on their own front door step, or you just hate the thought of living alongside a major road. If we do nothing then the traffic to and from the airport will just get worse and the existing businesses who have settled here will no doubt be forced out and South Bristol will continue to be the poor relation alongside the more prosperous north side of our city, why? they have motorway llinks. You don't hear the north side citizens of our city moan about them, why? coz they're a bloodline. Oh the day we have a Mall and those degrees of job opportunity our side of the city. Now with the 75 bus stopping at the Centre and the Knowle/Filwood buses disrupted we couldn't get across town even if we wanted to. Maybe Councillor Kent should do something useful and go attack FirstBus for the shoddy and very expensive service they give us this side of town. Or would that be to useful and meaningful for those who voted for him. Bring back Colin Smith I say.”
by Jackie Fleming, Hartcliffe
Sunday, January 04 2009, 6:39PM
“In your article ¿Voters in dark over ring road¿. You give the impression that the consultation currently under way concerns the fanciful plan for a road from the Hartcliffe roundabout to Hicks Gate. No such plans exist and no such route has been proposed.
What is planned is a link road from the end of the existing ring road at the roundabout at Cater Road crossing the A38 and connecting with the Weston Road. This road is vital to the regeneration of the Hartcliffe and Withywood Estate. It will service businesses on the Cater Road Business Park, Imperial Park and the new development at Hengrove. With a recession under way the estate needs this link to bring in jobs to the area as well as linking South Bristol to Bristol International Airport.
Councillor Kent seems to be less interested in regeneration than he is in the dogma of opposing all roads regardless of their social need as he tries to lump the much needed link road with the fantasy land Hicks Gate scheme. By taking this position he is making it clear for all to see that he prefers to appease the Guardian reading types of the Liberal Democrat Party than to work for his working class constituents in Hartcliffe.”
by Ben, Central Bristol
Sunday, January 04 2009, 6:31PM
“I think it needs to be illegal for councils to only have to provide details of public consultations in libraries and on their website. Not everyone has internet connect, especially older people. I
It's underhand and what we come to expect from Bristol City Council now.”
by Shelly, BRISTOL
Saturday, January 03 2009, 7:26PM
“when I read this I laughed out loud. Since WHEN has the council /WEP consulted properly on ANYTHING.
Still at least you can console yourselves with the fact that you have Park and Rides coming out of your ear. Sth Glos/North Bristol have none (except at Xmas!). And our tram system has been knocked on the head because the two councils are far too busy arguing about a terminus.
I say set your standards as low as possible but you'll still be disappointed because it wont be what you need or want”