Bristol task force to tackle pavement parking
Spaces could be removed to make room for seating or bike storage
A new task force could be set up to look at options for tackling the scourge of pavement parking in Bristol.
This will explore how space along the side of streets could be used instead for trees, tiny parks or storing bicycles.
Two months ago the Labour opposition criticised the new Green-led administration running Bristol City Council for not yet having a plan to clamp down on drivers parking on the pavement. Greens hit back and pledged to take action, partly as the problem can put pedestrians in danger.
Now a new plan will be drawn up, focusing on pavement parking but also wider issues around “how space beside the kerb” is used.
Councillors on the transport policy committee will be asked to create the task force on Thursday, September 12.
A committee report said: “The council needs to consider initiatives to improve air quality and make more efficient use of public car parking spaces, while considering how the management of these spaces can help driver behaviour change towards sustainable modes of travel.
“There is a need to maximise the use of kerb space, given increasing demands for car clubs, cycle hangars, scooter parking and electric vehicle charging, all set alongside a range of other uses such as pocket parklets, trees and commercial use through licensing.”
Five years ago, the council’s overarching transport policy noted that a specific parking strategy was needed. However the former Labour administration, led by mayor Marvin Rees, did not create one.
Now, a new task and finish group, made up of members of the transport committee, will develop a “comprehensive” strategy to address all sorts of parking issues across the city.
The group will be led by Green Councillor Rob Bryher, and will explore options for a “modern and holistic parking and kerbside strategy”. The London borough of Lambeth has a similar strategy already in place, where the council there is aiming to turn a quarter of the space along the side of streets into places for trees, benches or bicycle storage.
Copenhagen was one example given in the transport strategy of other cities that have tackled similar problems.
In recent years the Danish capital has reduced the number of parking spaces by two to three per cent annually, while increasing parking costs.
According to the strategy, the land made available by removing the parking spaces was then turned into public open space.