Traffic free zone for Clifton Village sparks concern from businesses

Business leaders fear temporary plans to pedestrians parts of Clifton Village could become permanent - and damage trade

Parts of Clifton Village could become a traffic free zone – in a bid to make more room for social distancing.

Bristol City Council is planning to suspend parking bays along Princess Victoria Street and on the east side of the Mall, up to Caledonian Place, to make extra space for social distancing.

Bollards would be put up to block off the parking spaces with traffic still being allowed, but unable to park.

Local councillors however want to go one step further and make Princess Victoria Street to its junction to Waterloo Street traffic free completely.

They say that the move would not only provide more space for pedestrians but also allow additional space for local cafes to put tables, allowing them to trade.

Councillors Paula O’Rourke and Jerome Thomas have now asked Bristol City Council for a temporary traffic order to prohibit all traffic from Princess Victoria Street for a set period.

A decision on the traffic order is expected in the coming weeks.

Councillor O’ Rourke said a temporary pedestrianisation would be more aesthetically pleasing in the centre of the village

She added: “Doing this would allow the cafes to put some tables out on the street.

“This would be a much more appealing streetscape and would welcome shoppers.

“We know that part of the pleasure of coming to Clifton to shop is to also get something to eat.”

As part of the plan, traffic would be reversed from Waterloo Street to The Mall for residents and local businesses needing to accommodate deliveries.

Mrs O Rourke said the measures would only be temporary while social distancing guidelines were in place.

“These measures will all be temporary and are being put in place to facilitate social distancing,” she added.

“However, if and when any changes were to be made permanent, then there would, of course, be a full consultation process.

“What is imperative now is to get the village’s vibrancy back and our proposal to present a pedestrianised street, rather than a traffic corridor, we believe, is the best option.”

Businesses in the village say although they understand the need for the parking bays to be suspended for social distancing, a full pedestrianisation would have a major impact on businesses, many of which have already been closed for months.

And they fear that the change could eventually become a permanent feature.

Chairman of Clifton Business Improvement District Richard Davis said: “Pedestrianising this area completely allows cafes to put tables and chairs out which will completely negate the point of social distancing.

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“People need to be able to move about freely.

“I believe it is the councillors’ intention to lobby to make this a permanent change.

“Changing the traffic flow through the village will stop people coming into Clifton.

“If you can’t drive into the village and up The Mall a lot of elderly customers, many of which have been told not to use public transport, will simply not come.

“I firmly believe that the councillors wish to make this a permanent pedestrianisation and that once it is enacted it will be very difficult to roll it back.

“The vast majority of business in Clifton Village have expressed concerns about this and would like to keep things as normal as possible by maintaining social distancing.”