April 2019
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n NEWS Landlord finds Explore your backyard as Watch out for a way to avoid tree vandal the Walk Fest uncovers demolition THE OWNER of the illegal house built in two back gardens behind Marksbury Road has avoided a council-set deadline of March 21 to knock the building down. John Fry of Dundry, who owns about 50 properties in the Marksbury Road area, has issued an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, whic h will have to be heard before enforcement action can be taken. The Voice revealed in February that Mr Fry had built the two-bedroom property behind 154 and 152 Marksbury Road and was letting it to tenants, though he denied this. Mr Fry had planning permission for a “garden room” but not for a dwelling. In February he was refused planning permission for eight houses on land between Dawlish Road and Marksbury Road.
hidden stories all around
SOUTH Bristol will be better represented than ever before when the seventh Bristol Walk Fest takes place from May 1-31. The festival’s full programme isn’t due to be unveiled until early April but organisers predict there will be at least 260 walks and events – 100 more than in 2018, and most of them free. The South Bristol line-up will include: • Art and history walks in Arnos Vale cemetery; • A trail charting Bristol’s tobacco trade, ending in Southville; • A story walk for families and young children from Creative Workspace in Withywood; • A Wells Road Womble, led by Totterdown community group Tresa; • Guided tours of Crux Bottom,
Manor Woods and the Malago Valley near Hartcliffe; • The Broadwalk Mile – a chance to look at what’s good/ bad for pedestrians on Wells Road (see also page 9); • A photography walkshop led by Knowle West Media Centre; • A meander through 150 years of Totterdown history with The Road Project; • Walking sports – among them slow tennis, netball, hockey, football and new age curling – at venues including The Park, Hengrove Leisure Centre and Knowle tennis club. For updates, find the Bristol Walk Fest page on Facebook, follow @briswalkfest19 on Twitter, or visit bristolwalkfest.com Pam Beddard
At risk: The damaged trees DOG walkers and people visiting the Northern Slopes are being asked to keep their eyes open for a mysterious vandal who appears to be attempting to kill trees by ripping off the bark in rings. Several trees have been damaged behind Beckington Road, Knowle in the Bommie. Members of the Northern Slopes Initiative, the voluntary group, which cares for the Slopes, are furious about the damage, which could kill the trees. Anyone seeing the vandal – who is believed to claim to be doing work on behalf of the council – can ring police on 101.
April 2019
southbristolvoice
9
n NEWS The Redcatch Road junction MP hails rail could be closed, and traffic sent down Oakmeade Park both ways, the report says. delay victory A new pedestrian crossing is
Walking should be safer Report says changes needed on Wells Road
A DETAILED study of one of South Bristol’s most important walking routes – from the Broadwalk in Knowle to Bath bridge – has found obstacles and dangers to pedestrians. The route from Knowle towards the city centre is the first to be examined by the Living Streets group. “We are convinced that small changes to main routes in Bristol can make walking an attractive option to more people,” said
Danger zone: Cars cross this Wells Road pavement to park spokesperson Charles Beasley. Three walkers tested the route, which is 1.2 miles long and takes about 20 minutes going city-wards – but a little longer heading the other way up the 60m (197ft) hill to Knowle. The report said the most important need is to make side roads easier to cross. At some, like Redcatch Road and Angers Road, traffic can swing off Wells Road quickly, making it hazardous for pedestrians. Suggestions include making the pavement continuous across junctions such as Belluton Road (by the GP surgery) and Marston Road (by the nursery).
needed somewhere between Cemetery Road and Greenmore Road, said Living Streets – also an aim of Knowle’s two Lib Dem councillors. A petition for a crossing (see below) was started by parents Rebecca Zausner and Ben Smith in December after their son Finn barely escaped serious injury when he was hit by a motorbike. The Living Streets team found other hazards – such as cyclists on the pavement, cars parked on the parkment, and busy bus stops. They called for wider pavements near busy stretches such as the one near Clyde Road. Other ideas include changes to Pelican crossings. Make the delay shorter, says the report – it can take 90 seconds. The report also suggests cutting air pollution, with signs telling motorists to switch off when stopped. tinyurl.com/safewellsroadcrossing
COMMUTERS using Great Western services will be able to claim compensation if their trains are more than 15 minutes late whatever the cause, bringing it into line with other rail franchises. Bristol South MP Karin Smyth called the move, which takes effect on April 1, a “long overdue victory for passengers”. The Labour MP complained in the Commons of the “gross inequality” of compensation offered by rail companies. She said there “are still a wealth of issues that need addressing with the Great Western mainline”.
Great outdoors HOLIDAY fun this Easter at Arnos Vale cemetery includes a chance to explore the woods, learn how to make a den or hear an outdoor Stomping Story. arnosvale.org.uk
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