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Search forRamblers want ban on Bristol Zoo's Downs car park
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 09:30
The 1,000 members of Bristol Ramblers' Group are objecting to an application by the zoo for visitors to park at Ladies Mile on 60 days each year.
The group will speak at Bristol City Council's planning committee when it meets on Wednesday to discuss the application.
"The Downs are one of the glories of the city, dedicated more than a century ago for people of Bristol and surrounding areas to enjoy," said the group, which is part of the national Ramblers' Association.
"Successive planning committees have acknowledged that permanent use as a zoo car park would be unacceptable.
"They have nonetheless allowed parking to go on and on. The zoo has little incentive to find an alternative while the council continues to give permission.
"We trust that this time the council will decide to restore this beautiful part of The Downs to its proper use – as parkland for the people of Bristol, not as a car park for visitors to another attraction."
Amenity associations have also objected, including Bristol Civic Society, Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society and the National Open Spaces Society.
Councillors at a previous planning meeting said they were dissatisfied the zoo was continuing to use temporary applications for a car park.
They said it should have been banned from doing so years ago.
Permission was given, but councillors warned bosses at the zoo they must do more to encourage their visitors to use public transport.
Dave Harley, Bristol Zoo Garden's head of estates, said the zoo works with the council to try to encourage visitors not to come by car.
"Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity that supports over ten conservation projects both locally and overseas, including the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project," he said.
"The zoo is also the city's leading visitor attraction.
"However, during the summer months the zoo requires overflow parking to meet visitor demand.
"Under agreement with Bristol City Council, the Zoo uses Ladies Mile for overflow parking only when ground conditions permit."
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