Ten turn up for drivers' call to action
A meeting to protest at Bristol City Council's alleged anti-car policy attracted just 10 people.
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Bob Bull, local co-ordinator for the Association of British Drivers, organised the event at North Bristol Rugby Club in Almondsbury last night to allow drivers to air their frustrations.
Although it was not well attended, Mr Bull is hoping a meeting in the new year could attract more interest.
He is also hoping to meet with Bristol City Council's executive member for transport, Mark Bradshaw, to discuss his group's concerns. Mr Bull, 61, from Portishead, gave a presentation citing examples of measures introduced by the council that he believes are counter-productive.
Among them were the four pedestrian crossings at the St Mary Redcliffe roundabout, the bus stops in the middle of the road at Old Market and the two-mile, 24-hour bus lane on the Portway.
He said: "There is no reason the bus lane on the Portway should be 24 hours, and St Mary Redcliffe used to be a good run into the centre of the city. At Cabot Circus there are pedestrian crossings 200 yards apart from each other and now they want to close the Prince Street bridge.
"I know that cars are last on the list of the council's priorities when they do this kind of work.
"First it's pedestrians, then cyclists and cars are on the bottom.
"They think it will be all right when they talk about £60 million to be spent on 'transport solutions', but what will that actually achieve?
"They've got to stop this control."
11 Comments
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by Martin, Knowle,Bristol
Friday, November 28 2008, 6:49AM
“Is it possible that Mr Bull didn't hold this meeting in Bristol because it might have been overrun with the many groups of people with a different viewpoint?
Such as cyclists,pedestrians,scientists with evidence of the harm traffic pollution causes,mothers with asthmatic children, etc.”
by Stan Fermunder, Bristol
Thursday, November 27 2008, 7:29PM
“Stand for election, Bob! One of the first things to do would be to equip police cars with cutting equipment, so that when cyclists go through red traffic lights, ride on the pavement, or ride with no lights on, they could stop them, fine them and then cut their bikes in half! And when they chain their infernal contraptions to railings or lamp posts.
And ban Angry Alex's Puritanical Cycling Sect! Or expel them to Sark.
They're an election winner!”
by Alex, Bristol
Thursday, November 27 2008, 5:56PM
“"First it's pedestrians, then cyclists and cars are on the bottom"
Exactly the way it should be (it isn't, however. How can anyone say priority is given to cyclists over cars in this city, it's just not true).
If there was to be a sensible hierachy of priorities. I'd put buses between cycles and cars.”
by Bert, Bristol
Thursday, November 27 2008, 1:47PM
“I tried to get there, but my bus didn't turn up yet again!”
by James S, Bristol
Thursday, November 27 2008, 1:12PM
“I wonder if this is the same 'Bob' who frequents these message boards..”