Improve cycling and pedestrian routes from Totterdown to Temple Meads

Lead petitioner : Suzanne Audrey

Status: New > Draft > Rejected > Accepted > Collecting signatures > Awaiting submission > Submitted > Pending owner response > Closed > Withdrawn

Status: Closed

Petition

The petitioner asks Bristol City Council to ensure that Section 106 money from the Temple Quarter development be spent on upgrading pedestrian and cycle routes between Three Lamps Junction, Totterdown, and Temple Meads.

Background information

TRESA (Totterdown Residents Environmental and Social Action community interest company) was etablished to undertake activities that benefit the community, and in particular:
(a) to secure for the benefit of Totterdown residents the preservation, protection and improvement of the built and natural environment in the area of Totterdown in Bristol;
(b) to encourage, support and promote social events and activity within Totterdown and the involvement of Totterdown residents in such activities.

The route between Three Lamps junction and Temple Meads station is widely acknowledged to be unpleasant and dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. In recent years two pedestrians have been killed along this route and a Vehicle Activated Speed sign was installed in an attempt to reduce the speed of cars travelling away from the Temple Meads area. This sign is often activated and ignored by drivers. At the same time, parts of the pedestrian and cyclist 'shared' pavement are considered substandard by the City Council. This has caused confusion about whether cyclists should use the pavement or the busy, dangerous road.
Although the bus route is being enhanced, the problems experienced by cyclists and pedestrians remain unanswered. An imaginative scheme is required to provide a safe and attractive route, which is likely to include an additional cycle/pedestrian 'bridge' alongside the current road bridge.
Section 106 agreements are an important part of the planning system involving commitments made by developers when getting planning permission e.g. providing funds for traffic calming measures, improved pavements, cycle paths. Section 106 agreements can be of huge benefit and significance for local communities.
The multi-million pound Temple Quarter development offers an opportunity for Section 106 funds to be spent on upgrading the unsafe and unpleasant route between Three Lamps Junction and Temple Meads. Furthermore, improvements to cycling on this major route are in keeping with the recent announcement that Bristol has become England's first 'cycling city' in a government scheme aimed at encouraging cycling.

Signature Count

310