A proposal for a trial road closure in Bristol’s Downs sparks mixed reactions from locals and advisory panel members
Bristol: There’s a buzz around a proposed trial closure of Ladies Mile Road this summer. The Downs Advisory Panel thinks it should be closed to cars for a Bank Holiday weekend, allowing only bikes. Sounds interesting, right?
Some locals are all for it, saying it could make the area safer. But others worry about families needing easy access. The panel can suggest changes, but they can’t just shut it down themselves.
The Downs committee is set to meet soon to chat about this and other issues, like parking and some ongoing disputes. Robert Westlake, the panel chair, pointed out that the road is often misused for illegal parking and speeding. He believes a trial could help gauge public opinion.
Some folks are really passionate about this. One commenter, Vaidas, argues that closing the road would make it tough for families to enjoy barbecues. Others, like Downsguy2, think it’s a great idea to keep the parkland connected.
Fishmonster agrees, saying the road has become a dangerous shortcut. But YosserBlues thinks there are better ways to handle speeding cars, like using speed cameras.
Paul-W suggests a middle ground, closing just a section of the road to keep parking while stopping it from being a shortcut. Meanwhile, GenericNickname is frustrated with advisory panels, reminiscing about the days without parking restrictions.
Some commenters argue that Bristol needs more roads, not fewer. They believe shutting down roads is unnecessary. Others point out that there are plenty of public transport options to get to the Downs.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that opinions are divided. What do you think? Should the road be closed, or is it fine as it is? Let us know!
