Urgent Petition to Halt the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme

To: Bristol City Council
From: Concerned Residents, Business Owners, and Stakeholders of East Bristol

We, the undersigned, urgently call on Bristol City Council to immediately halt the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (LNP) scheme in its current form and to reconsider the implementation of any such drastic changes without proper consultation and consideration of their full impact. This scheme not only threatens to undermine our community and local economy, but it is also a waste of taxpayers' money that could be better spent on solutions that genuinely benefit East Bristol.

We strongly oppose this scheme for the following key reasons:

1. Unjustified Increase in Traffic Congestion & Disruption
The proposed changes will divert significant traffic onto smaller, residential streets, creating even worse congestion than before. Local roads are already at capacity, and pushing more vehicles onto them will create major bottlenecks, adding unnecessary travel time for residents and commuters. Far from reducing traffic, this scheme will cause widespread disruption throughout the area.

2. Devastating Impact on Local Businesses
Local businesses will suffer severe consequences as a result of these traffic restrictions. With reduced access for customers, suppliers, and delivery vehicles, many businesses will face declining foot traffic and difficulty operating. In a time when small businesses are already struggling, this scheme could force closures, harming East Bristol’s economy and livelihoods.

3. Health & Safety Risks: Increased Pollution and Danger to Residents
By rerouting traffic onto smaller roads, the scheme will significantly increase air pollution and the risk of accidents in residential areas. These roads are not designed for heavy traffic, and this could lead to a deterioration in air quality and a dangerous environment for children, pedestrians, and cyclists. This is directly contrary to the scheme’s supposed environmental goals, making it a deeply flawed policy.

4. Total Lack of Adequate Consultation & Transparency
The consultation process surrounding this scheme has been wholly inadequate. Local residents and businesses were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal, yet their concerns have been disregarded. This failure to engage with the community and listen to those who will be most affected is a significant failure of governance. The voices of the people have been ignored in favor of a top-down decision that has not been thought through properly.

5. A Total Waste of Taxpayer Money
The implementation of this scheme is an enormous waste of taxpayers' money. Rather than investing in a solution that could be effective, the Council is pouring resources into a project that lacks public support and is unlikely to achieve its intended outcomes. Money that could be used to improve local infrastructure, support small businesses, or enhance public services is instead being spent on a misguided and unpopular initiative. This is irresponsible spending, and we, as taxpayers, demand better.

6. Ineffective and Misguided Policy
The Liveable Neighbourhood scheme represents a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to account for the specific needs of East Bristol. There are many other, more effective ways to reduce traffic and improve our environment, such as better public transport, improved cycling infrastructure, and targeted traffic calming measures. These solutions would not only address the problems but would do so without the unintended consequences of this poorly conceived scheme.

Our Demands:

Immediate halt to the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme in its current form.
A comprehensive review and re-evaluation of the scheme, taking into account the overwhelming opposition from local residents and businesses.
The development of alternative, more cost-effective, and community-supported measures that will reduce congestion, improve safety, and protect our local economy, without the waste of public funds or disruption to our daily lives.
This scheme is a monumental failure in both design and consultation. It risks wasting taxpayers' money, disrupting businesses, and damaging the community it was supposed to serve. We demand that Bristol City Council listen to the people, halt this project, and find a solution that works for everyone.

Please, sign the petition.