Feedback to the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods (SBLN) consultation has been brought together in the SBLN Consultation Report.
There were more than 4,000 responses to the consultation that was held towards the end of last year on proposals across 11 neighbourhoods in south Bristol.
Proposals include:
- introducing parking measures
- changing some traffic movements
- creating better local transport options
- making roads safer
- improving high streets, areas near schools, and local centres
The changes are designed to make local streets healthier, greener, more accessible and pleasant.
Data collected before the consultation and more recent monitoring shows that key roads across the SBLN area, such as Raleigh Road and St Luke's Road, are unsuitable for active travel routes that share space with vehicles on small residential streets, because of the number of vehicles and the speed they are travelling at.
Access the SBLN traffic monitoring summary map.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “At the start of this project, we heard from stakeholders and residents who told us that they want safer, greener, quieter streets, less traffic, and better conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling. These are reasonable desires for any community to have for their neighbourhood, and our plans have been designed to create healthy environments where everyone feels safer and more connected.
“I want to thank everyone who shared their views on our proposals for the area - from families and local schools to residents' groups, faith organisations and disabled people's groups. Your input has been invaluable, and the Consultation Report brings all this feedback together and will help us refine the final plans for the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme.”
Key results set out in the report are that Residents' Parking Schemes are broadly supported, with 52 per cent of respondents agreeing with plans, especially in neighbourhoods closer to the city centre.
A Matchday Parking Scheme was supported near Ashton Gate Stadium, but less so in other areas.
Half of respondents agreed that speeds and volume of traffic on residential streets should be reduced, rising to 70 per cent on streets near schools and local centres. However, specific proposals for Southville and Totterdown were less popular.
Many people supported suggestions to add street trees and greenery, as well as new pedestrian crossings and other measures to make it easier and safer to cross the road.
In response to the report, Councillor Plowden said: “This feedback has given us an invaluable local steer, and we are responding by simplifying plans for Totterdown and Southville. This includes removing some of the proposed one-way streets and measures that prevent through‑traffic while maintaining access for pedestrians and cyclists.
“We'll share these updated plans in the coming months, ahead of Transport and Connectivity Committee making a decision in the autumn on whether to take the whole scheme forward and further chances to have your say on the proposals.”
In the meantime, the council will be carrying out some early work in south Bristol, including:
- Trialling eight implied zebra crossings on side roads with North Street – these feature white, parallel stripes painted on the road, but they do not have the beacons (lights) at either end and reinforce pedestrian priority.
- Building out Gathorne Road's junction with North Street and adding an implied zebra crossing, to improve road safety and give more space for outdoor hospitality, cycle parking and planting. Gathorne Road will remain open to one-way traffic.
- Starting the process to introduce a School Street at Ashton Gate Primary School (Ashton Gate Road site) with a timed closure at school drop-off and pick-up times.
This early work is programmed in to start in the summer holidays onwards to reduce disruption. It will be funded using Clean Air Zone income and Section 106 money secured from nearby developments.
The early work will also include installing more than 20 cycle hangars across the SBLN area, using Active Travel Funding secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
These early works will be followed by a £700,000 programme of tree planting in Southville and along North Street in the winter tree planting season.
Councillor Plowden added: “Recent collisions on North Street, which tragically resulted in the death of a cyclist, show just how important good road design is, alongside responsible driving. As part of the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods project, we are bringing forward early work to make it safer and easier for people to enjoy all that North Street has to offer, while developing longer-term plans to address road safety issues. This includes proposals to change the layout of some of North Street's main junctions, to improve sight lines and make this busy high street safer for all road users.”
The council is developing proposals for new Residents' Parking Schemes in Windmill Hill, Totterdown, Ashton Gate, and The Chessels with Parson Street.
Based on responses to the consultation, schemes will not be taken forward in Totterdown East, Perretts Park or Malago Vale, however, a Matchday Parking Scheme is being proposed for Ashton Vale.
Consideration is also being given to extending the operating hours of the existing Residents' Parking Schemes in Southville and Bedminster East.
Detailed proposals for each area will be published, with public consultations taking place over the summer and autumn, before any final decisions are made.
To find out more about South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods visit www.bristol.gov.uk/sbln and sign up to the SBLN newsletter.
Download the SBLN Consultation Report and download the Easy Read summary of the SBLN Consultation Report.
Notes
The aim of Liveable Neighbourhoods is to make streets healthier, more accessible and more pleasant by:
- putting people first – reducing traffic and lowering vehicle speeds to create safer, more welcoming and accessible streets. Vehicles would still be able to access all properties at any time, though some routes may change.
- prioritising health – improving air quality and allowing more people to choose physically active travel options, like walking and cycling, and be safe doing so. This also frees up the roads for people that really need them, like delivery drivers, tradespeople and disabled people.
- making better community spaces – designing calmer streets and greener areas where people can relax, children can play, and families feel safe travelling to school.
The South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods project has been funded to date by the UK Government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The 11 neighbourhoods within the SBLN project area include:
- Ashton Gate
- Ashton Vale
- Bedminster East
- Malago Vale
- Parson Street
- Perrett Park
- Southville
- The Chessels
- Totterdown
- Totterdown East
- Windmill Hill
There is a particular focus on the Totterdown, Southville and Bedminster East neighbourhoods, because of the number traffic concerns, the level of support for change expressed in the 2024 engagement stage, how close they are to the city centre, and their strong links to the transport network.
North Street side road implied zebra crossing locations:
- Raleigh Road x2
- Lime Road
- Exeter Road
- Truro Road
- Greville Road
- Ashton Gate Road
- Greenway Bush Lane
Locations for proposed longer-term changes to North Street:
- Crossings and road safety improvements for North Street, focusing on junctions with Luckwell Road, Frayne Road/Coronation Road and Dean Lane.
- Improving sightlines and pedestrian crossings at roads adjoining North Street
Proposed longer-term changes to Coronation Road:
- Adding double yellow lines to improve sightlines at road entrances, to make it easier to turn onto Coronation Road.
- Adding traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings on Coronation Road, which would also make it easier when driving from a side road onto Coronation Road.
4 September 2025
An 8 week consultation giving people the opportunity to feedback on the proposals for South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods (SBLN) has opened today (4 September 2025). The consultation on the proposals will remain open until midnight on 30 October 2025.
The South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods (SBLN) project covers a large area of the Bedminster, Southville, and Windmill Hill electoral wards.
Liveable Neighbourhoods aim to make streets healthier, more accessible and more pleasant by:
- putting people first – reducing traffic and lowering vehicle speeds to create safer, more welcoming and accessible streets. Vehicles would still be able to access all properties at any time, though some routes may change
- prioritising health – improving air quality and allowing more people to choose physically active travel options, like walking and cycling, and be safe doing so
- making better community spaces – designing calmer streets and greener areas where people can relax, children can play, and families feel safe travelling to school
The proposals for South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods cover the 11 neighbourhoods in SBLN area, however, this phase of the project also has a particular focus on the Totterdown, Southville and East Bedminster neighbourhoods. These neighbourhoods have been prioritised due to a number of traffic concerns, the level of support expressed in the 2024 engagement stage, their closeness to the city centre and strong links to the existing transport network.
The proposed measures across the 11 neighbourhoods in the SBLN project area include introducing parking measures, changes to traffic movements, improving local transport options, better road safety and improvements on high streets and places where there are schools and local centres.
Feedback from last year's engagement, which was used to inform the proposals, can be found in the SBLN Engagement Report.
The consultation survey is split into two parts: part A covers the area-wide proposals across all 11 neighbourhoods and part B focuses on specific changes proposed for Totterdown, Southville and Bedminster East.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “Thank you to all residents and businesses that took part in our engagement period last summer. Your feedback has been instrumental in us developing the proposals for South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods.
“I am pleased to say that the proposals are now live and a consultation to gather your views on them is now open.
“The proposals we are putting forward aim to make South Bristol a safer and healthier place to live, with quiet streets that are less congested and polluted. They would make it easier to travel by bus, walk and cycle, with a particular focus on making sure children can get to school safely. These proposals would still see all areas of the neighbourhoods accessible for motorised vehicles and Blue Badge holders, but routes may change.
“We recognise that the topic of Liveable Neighbourhoods generate strong and differing views. While some welcome the changes, others have concerns about how Liveable Neighbourhoods might affect daily life. This is why we're taking all possible opportunities to learn from previous projects in the city, observe how these schemes are being introduced elsewhere in the country and gathering as many views as possible to evolve designs to meet the community's needs.
“We want to hear from as many people as possible during this consultation. Evidence from other schemes in the UK shows that, although these schemes can take time to settle in, they often bring lasting benefits to communities.
“We want the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods project to be shaped by the community. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation to share their thoughts on the proposals. Your input will play a vital role in how the project comes to life.”
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said: "Now is the time for people in south Bristol and beyond to have their say on the council's Liveable Neighbourhoods proposals. Your voice needs to be heard in this consultation – whether you live or work in south Bristol, or if you visit including City and Bears fans heading Ashton Gate every other week.
"People's feedback over the next eight weeks will be a key part of how the combined authority assesses this bid. Lessons need to be learned from the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial and other similar projects here in the West."
The proposals and consultation survey can be found on the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods Ask Bristol website. The consultation closes at midnight on 30 October 2025.
Accessible formats of the survey are available, including Easy Read versions, British Sign Language video, large print, braille, and translations. To request an alternative format, email liveableneighbourhoods@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 903 6449.
Information sessions to find out more about the proposals are also taking place across South Bristol during the eight-week consultation.
To receive the latest information on the SBLN project, subscribe to the project's newsletter.
The South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood consultation is being funded by the UK Government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods (SBLN) engagement report has been published following the engagement stage which took place in the area last summer. The engagement stage saw a high number of people take part, with over 1,500 people submitting responses.
pdf South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Engagement Executive Summary(1.15 MB)
pdf South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Engagement Report(16.35 MB)
The engagement was the first step in the SBLN project and gave people the opportunity to express their thoughts as well their ideas for the area.
The SBLN project covers the majority of Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill wards. The idea behind Liveable Neighbourhood projects is that streets are for everyone. The SBLN project aims to make streets healthier, more accessible and more pleasant by putting people first. Less traffic and slower vehicle speeds, streets will be safer and more accessible, and there will be greater consideration for pavement space and condition. Liveable Neighbourhoods prioritise health so everyone can breathe cleaner air and have the opportunity to choose physical active travel options like walking and cycling and be safe doing so. They also allow for better spaces for communities, so people have calmer streets and green spaces to enjoy and play.
Last summer, South Bristol residents and businesses were asked to give their views on the area using an interactive map. Thousands of comments were received on the interactive SBLN map, and at the end of the engagement the map had received 6,081 comments from 1,562 people. The online survey which went alongside the interactive map had a further 513 submissions. Over 12,000 open text responses were also submitted.
The comments left on the map suggest the top three issues are:
- Speeding traffic
- Problems with car parking
- Not safe for cyclists
And the top suggestions from participants for how the area could be improved are:
- Safe crossings and junctions
- Managing unsafe vehicle speeds
- Managing on-street car parking
- Wider / clearer pavement
- Priority to cyclists and pedestrians at side roads
The feedback received during the engagement stage is currently being used to develop proposals for addressing the issues raised. These proposals will include measures to reduce, slow and redistribute traffic away from residential streets, as well as measures to make walking and cycling safer, easier and more enjoyable.
The date for the next stage in the SBLN project, which is a public consultation on the proposals, is to be confirmed.
To receive the latest information on the SBLN project, subscribe to the project's newsletter.
11 July 2024
We launched the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods engagement on 11 July 2024.