Outcry fails to delay Bristol residents' parking zones

by Sam Rkaina

Plans for residents' parking schemes in two areas of the city are being pushed ahead, despite repeated claims that the knock-on effect will be to turn Bristol into one big parking zone.

Bristol City Council's ruling cabinet gave the go-ahead to the pilot schemes in Kingsdown and Brandon Hill in Clifton at a meeting last night, subject to a further round of public consultation on final designs and boundaries, rejecting appeals for the decision to be delayed.

Campaigners, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives had all called for the Labour-controlled cabinet to wait before pushing ahead with the scheme, arguing the consultation that lead to the decision was flawed.

But cabinet members rejected accusations there was anything wrong with the 53,000 questionnaires sent out during the summer, denying questions were unclear or designed to elicit a positive response.

Executive member for transport Councillor Mark Bradshaw said: "I've looked at Keep Parking Free campaigns from across the country and they all say the same thing, criticising the consultation regardless.

"This rubbishing of the questionnaire is bogus and aimed to direct the real argument away from resolving issues."

More than 250 people turned up to a meeting on Monday, the majority to protest the proposals, and 40 submitted statements to last night's meeting, again mostly critical.

About 70 people were in the audience at the Council House last night. Opponents argued introducing the zones would simply move the problem elsewhere, forcing people in neighbouring areas to support further residents' parking because they had no choice.

Even supporters of the zones who live in the pilot areas accept they are backing the idea out of desperation.

Lib Dem Councillor Neil Harrison has already called on the council to consider including parts of his Cotham ward in the pilots because they back on to one of the pilot zones and will potentially bear the brunt of people trying to avoid having to pay.

Just over 50 per cent of the people who returned questionnaires from the two pilot scheme areas were in favour of the zones, and some of them spoke at cabinet.

Helen Tierney said: "My street is on the frontline of the proposed residents parking scheme.

"Although I am well aware none of us has a right per se to park our vehicles on the public highway, I am overjoyed that some regulation over parking in my neighbourhood might at last become a reality."

Deborah Davinson said: "These 'no' campaigners, most of whom also don't live in the proposed areas, are vocal and articulate and have successfully grabbed press attention.

"But they do not represent the views of the people in Kingsdown."

The scheme will see households having to pay £30 for one vehicle, £110 for two and £310 for three, and up to £50 on visitor parking passes.

Mr Bradshaw stressed the council would consult people within the pilot schemes before introducing the zones, and that the specific boundaries would be one of the issues tackled.

Bristol City Council has not said how long the pilots will last, how their success will be measured or how they can be removed if they prove unpopular, despite calls for them to do so before last night's decision.