The Council has published the consultation results for the controversial South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, showing the Greens’ plans to block roads in Southville and introduce a series of one-way systems in Totterdown were not supported by the public.
As such, the Green-led Council plans to scale back the number of the zones and ‘modal filters’ – e.g., roadblocks – across Southville and u-turn on their plan to introduce one-way systems across Totterdown. Councillor Plowden, Green Party Transport Chief has stated there will still be a number of roadblocks in Southville – raising questions about why they intend to press ahead with plans to install roadblocks against the wishes of the community.
The Labour Group welcome support for the introduction of a Matchday Parking Scheme, for which their councillors have long campaigned. 53% of all respondents support the Matchday Parking Scheme, with support strongest in areas close to Ashton Gate stadium such as ‘The Chessels (78%)’ and Ashton Gate (76%).
In addition, the Labour Group welcome the announcement of plans to improve North Street and longer-term plans to address issues on Coronation Road. In February 2026, the Labour Group submitted a budget amendment to reinvest funding allocated towards progressing the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood towards safety improvements on North Street and Coronation Road, in line with the wishes of local residents.
Speaking about it, Councillor Tom Renhard, Leader of Bristol Labour, said:
“So far, the Green-led council have spent up to £2million on the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood plans, with very little to show for it other than u-turn after u-turn.
“To get buy-in for an ambitious project, the Council needed to bring people with them by clearly setting out what the problem is and why it needs to be fixed. With the scheme’s more controversial aspects, this has not been the case. Traffic monitoring data that has also been released seems to suggest that traffic volumes are very low on many of the roads in Southville, raising questions about the reasons some of these proposals have been brought forward in the first place.
“The aim of the road closures and one-way systems in the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood are to reduce through traffic in Southville and Totterdown respectively. The often steep, narrow streets of these neighbourhoods are not natural rat-runs, so residents have rightly been asking if drastic interventions to reduce traffic are needed or their consequences are desirable.
“This is reflected in the consultation results. Only 23% of people agreed with the modal filters in Southville, and only 27% agreed with the plans for Totterdown. We thank residents for taking the time to make their voices heard. Such a strong rejection of the plans should mean the Greens’ approach of dividing up Southville is ditched entirely. However, it looks as if they are still set on splitting up the community regardless, against the wishes of its residents.
“The plans for North Street are sorely needed and very welcome, as are longer term plans for Coronation Road. We have been calling for these improvements for many months and have sought the administration’s support to fund vital road safety works there. Commonsense safety initiatives such as increasing the number of pedestrian crossings are sensible proposals which have our support.
Councillor Tim Rippington, Transport Lead for Bristol Labour, said:
“I’m pleased the Green-led Council has belatedly realised these road closures are not right for these communities. Taxpayer money would be better spent directly on other active travel improvements and road safety interventions in the area, without closing off roads.
“Up to £2million has already been spent on this scheme. Any further funding should be spent on measures that command clear public support.
“We can get the same positive outcomes for Southville and Totterdown while shelving the scheme’s divisive ‘modal filters’ and complicated one-way systems.”
“We will be carefully scrutinising the detail of the plans that will be shared in the summer and expect that resident voice will be at their heart.
Councillor Emily Clarke, Labour Councillor for Bedminster ward, said:
“I’m pleased that a matchday parking scheme is being progressed. Residents have been waiting for this for too long. I look forward to seeing clear plans and timings for implementation.
”https://www.bristol.gov.uk/files/ask-bristol/10867-sbln-consultation-report-2026/file