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.

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.