Have a say in how BS3 is run

A 44% INCREASE in homes and a 37% increase in car ownership is projected for the Bristol BS3 neighbourhood from 2025: local people need to have a say in how to best deal with such a major change.

Ellie Freeman and Stef Brammar, Chair and Secretary of Action Greater Bedminster, decided that the impact on services (eg GP surgeries), schools, transport, environment and parking need to be addressed and a plan put in place to ensure BS3 remains a vibrant, happy and comfortable place to live. So they’re heading out into the community to inform and consult with as wide a range of local residents as possible.

Successful applications for funding from the Quartet Foundation and Bristol City Council’s Community Development team have enabled them to programme a series of open workshops and meetings from February to September

Parking charges motion

A BID by opposition

Conservatives to force mayor Marvin Rees to reconsider new charges at 10 suburban car parks was voted down.

But the Labour administration insists it has already agreed to talk to residents about possible changes to the proposals, which were approved in last month’s budget and are set to come into force this autumn.

Tory group leader Cllr Mark Weston tabled a motion to Bristol City Council urging Mr Rees to “revisit, review and reverse” the idea following an outcry primarily about introducing pay and display.

Shoppers, GP patients, community groups and churchgoers who currently park for free would have to pay £1 an hour, seven days a week.

Cllr Ed Plowden (Green, Windmill Hill) tabled an amendment “opposing the principle of free parking” but this was also voted down.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

2023 aimed at equipping the BS3 community with the full facts, and encouraging them to take part in the decision-making which will shape their future life in the neighbourhood.

Meetings in Ashton Vale, West Street and at Windmill Hill City Farm have already indicated a range of concerns about how the neighbourhood will cope: and what opportunities might arise from what the Council are calling ‘regeneration’.

One clear opportunity is funding for local projects: the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and S106 ‘top slice’ received from the developers will be considerable: Stef and Ellie are determined that those funds are spent wisely and that people from all walks of life across the community will be equipped to have a say in the projects these funds will support - which could be as simple as a replacement street noticeboard, or as complex as a new children’s playground.

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The BS3 beyond 2025 project is developing fast. More info can be found at: actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk/ bs3-beyond-2025

There is a free drop in information session on 3 April at St Francis Church on North Street, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Together, Bedminster Green and Whitehouse Street represent the majority of development in South Bristo, delivering thousands of new homes alongside improvements to highways, new and improved green spaces, and new industrial and community spaces. This is an opportunity to raise your questions and discuss various aspects of the developments, and what opportunities will arise for the benefit of local projects.

Find out about:

- Bedminster Green and

Save the No 23 bus

ASHTON Vale is always forgotten but unfortunately it will be a desert island when they withdraw the No 23 bus service.

The No 24 bus used to be a good bus service for Ashton Vale but it was changed to a double decker bus which can’t get under the railway arch in Ashton Drive. Because of this a No 23 was put on to serve the residents of Ashton Vale although it only went to the Centre. Now First West of England are going to withdraw this service from 2 April.

I am very concerned because a lot of residents, especially elderly and disabled people, wouldn’t be able to walk to Winterstoke Road to catch the No 24 bus.

It is a long walk to and from Winterstoke Road and it is not good, especially when it is dark or the weather is bad. It would also mean residents would have to leave earlier to go to work etc due to the extra walk.

The M2 is OK for the residents who live on the ex allotment land and some residents who live in SiIbury Road, but for others it is a long way and up a hill which many elderly and disabled people couldn’t walk. Also this bus only goes to Temple Meads and town, it doesn’t go to Sainsbury’s, North Street and Bedminster where all the local shops, doctors, dentist, etc are.

What is really needed is for the single decker No 24 to be reinstated into Ashton Vale. Double decker buses should only be used during rush hour as the rest of the time they are half empty and at times

Whitehouse Street: the plans for the area

- How regeneration can bring support for community projects, and contribute towards the creation of stronger and more resilient communities.

- Support for businesses impacted by development.

- Improvements planned for the roads of South Bristol and what is being done to make it easier and more enjoyable to travel on foot, bike or bus.

- Opportunities for skills and training in the area.

- Actions to mitigate flood risk and make BS3 more climate resilient.

St Francis Church has wheelchair access, an accessible toilet and a hearing loop system. If you have any questions or concerns ahead of the event please get in touch: hello@ actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk there are two or three double decker buses on the bus stop in Winterstoke Road.

I thought that the government wanted to make elderly people less lonely but if the No 23 bus is withdrawn, many elderly and disabled people will be housebound, unable to get to doctors, visit family and friends etc.

Chris, Ashton Vale

Keep the streets clear

LET’S Walk Bedminster is a community group trying to keep our pavements clear of obstructions, especially those which might stop older or disabled people from getting around easily and safely.

Recently we had an interesting discussion about legal liability. If someone trips over, say, a recycling box (easily done at night) and hurts themselves, who should they sue?

Is it the responsibility of the householder who failed to remove the box from the footway after recycling day? Or perhaps it’s the council which is technically the owner of the bin? Then again, perhaps Bristol Waste Company operatives failed to return it to the correct address.

We’d be very interested to hear if any readers have had experience with this issue. Or perhaps there’s a lawyer out there who could put us right? Contact us at letswalkbedminster@virginmedia.com

Jo Hargreaves, Southville