Row escalates over reopening Harbourside road to cars
An escalating row over reopening a Harbourside road to cars will force a debate this week as plans for replacement trees could be scrapped. Fifty-five replacement trees were initially due to be planted as part of the metrobus M2 route from Ashton Vale to the city centre.
But Bristol City Council[1] is now applying for planning permission from itself to instead plant far fewer trees. The row centres around Avon Crescent, a small residential street to the west of Spike Island, which was shut for two years to through-traffic.
Councillors on the development control B committee will decide on Wednesday, October 18 whether to allow the council to change a planning condition about planting replacement trees. The committee had been due to decide[2] on the fate of the road in a meeting in May.
In a report to the committee, a planning officer said: “The applicant, alongside the mayor’s office, wished to consider the evidence submitted in public statements to the May committee meeting, and whether the fire at Underfall Yard affected the scheme.”
Last month Avon Crescent reopened to traffic, after temporary traffic regulation orders expired, which had been in place to support roadworks on Cumberland Road. The council “widened” the pavement by painting a white line along the road, although this additional width for pedestrians is sometimes used now as car parking.
Initially, planning permission for the Metrobus route proposed to remove 11 trees, and plant 55 in replacement. Seven trees were actually removed, and just four were planted in replacement. To make up the shortfall, the council could set aside a sum of money to plant trees elsewhere in Bristol.
The planning officer added: “The opportunities to replace these trees have been limited for reasons of design, safety and the suitability of locations for planting. A number of trees were also proposed to be planted as enhancements beyond the requirements of the Bristol Tree Replacement Standard.”
Also last month, a row broke out[5] about who was responsible for the decision being delayed. Green Councillor Ani Stafford-Townsend, chair of the committee, accused the mayor’s office of “lying” about reopening the road to cars. The administration had blamed the committee chair for the delay, but leaked internal emails later suggested otherwise.
References
- ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ had been due to decide (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Bristol mayor’s office accused of ‘lying’ about reopening Harbourside road to cars (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Controversial decision on reopening Harbourside road to cars pulled at last minute (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ row broke out (www.bristolpost.co.uk)