Incentives to boost support for low traffic scheme

A city council is offering residents living within a controversial low traffic neighbourhood scheme a package of travel offers "to help them adapt" to the changes.

A trial of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme was due to start in December, but due to protests it has still only been partially been installed.

Bristol City Council is now offering incentives including £100 of bus tickets, a £150 voucher towards a bike and certain exemptions for blue badge holders and people driving to work.

Green councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport policy committee, said the new measures were proof the council is listening to residents' concerns and trying to find compromises.

All adults who live, work and study in Bristol and every household within the trial area will receive an extra £100 of First Bus bus tickets in the post in the coming months, the council said.

Low-income families living within the trial area will also be able to chose between an extra £250 in bus tickets or a £150 voucher to buy a refurbished bike.

Blue badge holders living within the scheme will be able to nominate a vehicle to drive through the bus gates due to be installed on Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane and Pilemarsh.

Those who need to drive for work can also apply for a 12 month exemption for the bus gates.

But Katie Sullivan, part of the Stop East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Road Closures campaign group, told BBC Bristol: "There's no point having a pile of bus tickets if we've still got the problem of buses not turning up."

Ms Sullivan, from Barton Hill, added that there was also concern that the incentives are only for the short term.

"Six months down the line we are on our own again and all the issues that we have with the scheme will still be there," she said.

Mr Plowden said those opposed to the scheme were taking an "all or nothing approach" and were unwilling to compromise or engage with the council.

He said that the offers were a sign "we've been listening to what people have said" and addressing concern over disability access and those dependent on their car for work.

Elsewhere, Pietro Herrera, a member of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Appreciation Group, said that the scheme had been "fantastic" for his family's quality of life.

"We are able to walk our kids to school. We are able to cycle with our families to the local shops and it's quiet," he said.

Mr Herrera said he understood people's concerns, but said people's genuine worries had become "blended with conspiracy theories".

"I would implore people to allow this to happen, I am absolutely certain that the 'Stop' campaign would get support from the 'Pro' campaign for any changes that need making if the data supports it," he said.

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