Public Forum receivedfor Full Council 12th Jan 2021

1. Petitions and Statements Public Petitions - There were none

Public StatementsRef No Name TitlePS01 Andrew Varney The Ecological Emergency and the

Brislington GreenwayRegistered to speak

PS02 David Redgewell Regional Transport Bodies and Public Transport

Registered to speak

PS03 Dr Val Hennessy Excluded UK (Golden Motion) Not attendingPS04 Keith Young and the

Newbridge Road Neighbours Group

The proposal to close Langton Rad/Langton Court Road

Not attending

PS05 Jim Smith Creswicke Road Not attendingPS06 Mohamed Makawi Add Chandos Road / Cotham to the Liveable

Neighbourhoods proposed roadsNot attending

(Pages 3 - 9)

2. Questions Ref No Name Title IntentionsPQ01 William Mountford Bristol’s Streets and Public Transport Registered to speakPQ02 William Mountford Development of residential spaces As abovePQ03 Matt Gibbs Locally-led parking and road safety

activity in BS3Registered to speak

PQ04 & PQ05

Mark Ashdown [Bristol Tree Forum]

A Manifesto for Protecting Bristol’s Existing Urban Forest

Not attending

PQ06 Suzanne Audrey Advertorials Not attending PQ07 Rob Bryher “Parklet Permits” Registered to speakPQ08 Andrew Varney eScooter trial Registered to speakPQ09 Andrew Varney Motorway-bound traffic As abovePQ10 & PQ11

David Redgewell Regional Transport Bodies and Public Transport

Registered to speak

PQ12 Julian Brenard Victoria Rooms Covid-19 Test Centre Not attendingPQ13 Tom Bosanquet St Luke’s Road Not attendingPQ14 Katherine Grant Mardyke Steps Registered to speak

(Pages 10 - 17)

STATEMENT: PS 01

Submitted by Andrew Varney

Subject: The Ecological Emergency and the Brislington Greenway

At the beginning of 2020, Bristol City Council declared an Ecological Emergency in response to escalating threats to local wildlife and ecosystems. At the time, the mayor said, “It is not too late to start the recovery of our wildlife. We must work together to grasp this last chance and put things right for nature and wildlife in our city.”

Following this declaration, the council published its strategy document, which outlined its key targets, one of which was to have at least 30% of land in Bristol managed for the benefit of wildlife by 2030.

I had hoped this was potentially good news for my long-running campaign opposing the plan to construct a new main road through the heart of Brislington West, namely the Callington Road Link, along the route of the former Brislington Railway Line.

Over the last 60 years, the disused railway line has become a haven for an enormous variety of flora and fauna, including 33 bird species observed by local residents, 7 species of mammals such as badgers, foxes, hedgehogs and bats, and 3 reptile species and amphibians such as slow worms, which have protected status.

If the road scheme goes ahead all of this biodiversity will be lost forever. However, my proposal for an active travel corridor, the Brislington Greenway, will protect the wildlife that has become established here, and help the council meet its new Ecological Emergency target.

Together with our changing working and travel habits, with more people working from home and record numbers of people taking up walking and cycling, the case for the road, which was never strong, grows ever weaker.

Unfortunately, the Labour-run Council remains determined to build a road here, which is completely contrary to their self-declared Ecological Emergency. I hope this won’t be yet another example of empty words from a mayor who promises so much but delivers so little.

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STATEMENT: PS 02

Submitted by David Redgewell

Subject: Regional Transport Bodies and Public Transport

We are very concerned the now that Public Transport and bus service have transferred to the West of England combined authority as the city region Transport Authority. But without precept powers what resources are being allocated by the city and county of Bristol and Bristol mayor Banes and South Gloucestershire council to revenue support socially supported bus services especially to serv Rural and orbital bus services in Bath and North East Somerset for example Bath Spa bus station to Peasdown St John, Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Paulton and Farmborough.Bath Spa bus and coach station to Saltford, Keynsham, North Common Warmley, Kingswood, Hillfields, Staple Hill, Downend, UWE Bus Station. Route 18.Bath bus and coach station Weston RuH back entrance, Kelson, Bitton Cadbury Heath, Warmley, Kingswood, Hillfields, Staple Hill, Downend, UWE, Bristol parkway station and Cribbs Causeway bus station. Route 19.In South Gloucestershire their is are wotton under edge to Chipping Sodbury and Tate bus station route 84 85 86 with also a yate bus station to Emerson Green and Kingswood. Route between Thornbury Bristol parkway station though North Bristol Cheswick Lockleaze Southmead hospital bus station to Southmead Westbury on Trym, Sea Mills or Lawrence Weston to Shirehampton to Avonmouth and Severn Beach. Routes 10 and 11.A network of routes in South Bristol hospital to Hengrove and Stockwood 515.Routes in Keynsham.96 route from Brislington to Knowle and Hengrove South Bristol hospital. Their are local services in Bedminster Brislington and Knowle town service.Operator by stagecoach west and Hct group (which still need to fit safety screen on their vehicles) during covid 19 operations.It is very important as their a large number of socially necessary services are supported by the weca mayoral transport authority. It is very important that the council continue budget for revenue support within their budget until a new devolution deal with North Somerset council joining weca mayoral combined authority allows weca public transport precept powers. Infrastructure budget.And monies for public transport infrastructure such as bus stop shelters castle kerbs and drop kerbs timetable information realtime information system's and Travel West.Planning for metro west revenue support. The issue of revenue support for rail services over the next few years for Severn Beach Bristol Temple meads Bath spa and Westbury services. Bristol Temple to pill and Portishead and Bedminster and parson street. Bristol Temple meads to Henbury via Ashley down Filton Abbey wood Filton North For the Area and Henbury for Cribbs Causeway bus station. Bristol to Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Ashley Down, Filton Abbey Wood Bristol parkway Yate Charfield station Cam and Dursey and Stonehouse Bristol Road. All these metro west service will need revenue support. And adding new station at St Anne's park and Saltford on Bristol Temple meads to Bath spa line.Portway parkway on the Bristol Temple meads station to Severn Beach. And Ashton gate on the Bristol Temple meads to Portishead line.And the leasing of Rolling stock.

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On we need to transfer the full public transport infrastructure maintenance team to Weca mayoral transport authority along with railway officer and Trunk officers. From Bristol City Council, Banes, South Gloucestershire Council and North Somerset Council in the future.

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STATEMENT: PS 03

Submitted by Dr Val Hennessy

Subject: Excluded UK (Golden Motion)

There is hardly an industry which has not suffered dreadfully because of CoVid but it is fair to say that language schools have suffered more than most. Not only have we lost 90% of our income and seen our students depart in droves, we have also had to refund large sums of money to those who had booked courses in 2020 which failed to take place or for which the students were unable to travel. We have had to continue paying rents and leases, salaries and taxes. Worst of all, we have been excluded from virtually all government financial aid. Retail, leisure and hospitality were given rates relief and grants; we got nothing. We cannot operate as normal but we are not officially closed. And even when the current lockdown ends and people start again to use restaurants and cafes, gyms and theatres, even to travel, we will be badly placed to benefit in the short term as our clients will be in the wrong place and will likely face travel restrictions and complications. Who knows how long it take for us to see a return to normal?

And yet, when compared to all those businesses which did receive financial aid, how much more are we likely to contribute to the regeneration of our city? Each Bristol language school generates over £1,000,000 in fees and a further £1,000,000 in discretionary spending by our students. That makes £2,000,000 per school in export income ploughed directly into the coffers of Bristol. Before the pandemic there were 9 schools generating around £18,000,000 between them; now we are reduced to 6. I have no desire to disparage the efforts of those running small cafes or even large restaurants or leisure facilities but how many of those businesses generate a similar amount of export income. Remember, any economist can tell you that export income is the very best of all income. Bristol will recover from the pandemic and language schools can play a huge role in that recovery.

However, we can only do that if we are helped to survive. To date, IH Bristol has received the total sum of £1500 as an ARG, for which we are grateful, but it is not enough. Every other application we have made to be considered for financial aid has been met with the same rejection: you do not fit the criteria laid down by central government. Surely it is time to find a way to make the criteria fit the need or to interpret the criteria to include us? Other councils have done so.

I appreciate that there are many demands on BCC funds. I appreciate that the fate of the city’s language schools may not seem so vital to some of you. But remember, we are the foundation of international education, which sees hundreds of overseas students coming to study at Bristol University and UWE every year; we have contributed hugely to the growth of local tourism by putting Bristol firmly on the map as a premier destination for learning English as a foreign language; our social programme for students supports local sport, leisure and hospitality venues; we have raised awareness of the city and the surrounding region at conferences and international language fairs around the world. Whether or not the city council is aware of it, language schools are a fundamental part of what makes our wonderful city so cosmopolitan and so vibrant. We make a difference. Please help us to survive.

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STATEMENT: PS 04

Submitted by Keith Young and the Newbridge Road Neighbours Group

Subject: The proposal to close Langton Rad/Langton Court Road

With reference to the proposal to close Langton Rad/Langton Court Road near to St Anne’s school, surely any available funds are better utilised in tackling the much more serious problem just yards away in Newbridge Road, which the council are aware of.

The use of these available funds to insert a raised table at the junction of Newbridge Road with Langton Court Road would be of greater benefit to cyclists and pedestrians where motorists routinely exceed the 20 mph speed limit, even overtaking slower vehicles, with frequent speeds of well over 40 mph.

This will not only benefit travel to St Anne's school but also to the other nearby schools, parks, shops and work. It will also remove this blight on the quality of life for the local community.

Newbridge Road remains the Roads Policing Team’s busiest mobile Bristol enforcement site, recently recording 132 offences in just 2 hours. The Wick Road/Newbridge Road Speedwatch Group also see speeding volumes of double the average for Bristol.

Thank you.

Keith Young and the Newbridge Road Neighbours Group.

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STATEMENT: PS 05

Submitted by Jim Smith

Subject: Creswicke Road

As well as the speeding issue.

The road itself is in a terrible state.

It was a good smooth road when I moved here.

After the 'improvements'! to the road, ready for Metro Bus route. It has steadily deteriorated to a dangerous condition!

Deep holes have been dug, and refilled, due to the undermining of the roads foundations, I believe, caused by these 'improvements'!

Re speeding!

The road need 'build outs' not, bigger speed bumps.

If cars, have to slow down. to give way to alternating traffic flow. That is the way foreward to slow traffic down. And not cause damage to cars with huge speed bumps.

There is an example of build outs on Talbot Road, Knowle.

Please, respond to this item I have written, with your comments. Thank you.

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STATEMENT: PS 06

Submitted by Mohamed Makawi

Subject: Add Chandos Road / Cotham, to the Liveable Neighbourhoods proposed roads

As am a resident of Cotham, I would like to see one of our most popular & important street Chandos Road to be added to the proposed Liveable Neighbourhoods road & high streets.

I call on the Mayor & the Council to help the local businesses during the pandemic by pedestrianising the road. The benefits will be, easier social distancing, safer roads, safe spaces for children to play, room for outdoor seating for businesses, and more footfall and trade on local high streets & would create spaces to play, meet, enjoy a meal, walk and cycle will help us to create a healthier happier neighbourhoods for our comments.

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

hFull Council -12th January 2021 Agenda item 6 b Public questions

Procedural note:

Questions submitted by members of the public:

- Questions can be about any matter the Council is responsible for or which directly affect the city.

- Members of the public are entitled to submit up to 2 written questions, and to ask up to 2 supplementary questions. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply.

- Replies to questions will be given verbally by the Mayor (or a Cabinet member where relevant). If a reply cannot be given at the meeting (e.g. due to lack of time) or if written confirmation of the verbal reply is requested by the questioner, a written reply will be provided within 10 working days of the meeting.

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

*point of explanation - where a person has asked two questions on the same topic they are on the same line. Where topics are different they have different lines.

Ref No Name Title IntentionsPQ01 William Mountford Bristol’s Streets and Public Transport Registered to speakPQ02 William Mountford Development of residential spaces As abovePQ03 Matt Gibbs Locally-led parking and road safety

activity in BS3Registered to speak

PQ04 & PQ05

Mark Ashdown [Bristol Tree Forum]

A Manifesto for Protecting Bristol’s Existing Urban Forest

Not attending

PQ06 Suzanne Audrey Advertorials Not attendingPQ07 Rob Bryher “Parklet Permits” Registered to speakPQ08 Andrew Varney eScooter trial Registered to speakPQ09 Andrew Varney Motorway-bound traffic As abovePQ10 & PQ11

David Redgewell Regional Transport Bodies and Public Transport

Registered to speak

PQ12 Julian Brenard Victoria Rooms Covid-19 Test Centre Not attendingPQ13 Tom Bosanquet St Luke’s Road Not attendingPQ14 Katherine Grant Mardyke Steps Registered to speak

QUESTION PQ 01Subject: Bristol’s Streets and Public TransportQuestion submitted by: William Mountford

With the announcement from the government to halt the sale of petrol/diesel cars by 2030, will the mayor and this council commit to implementing overhauls to Bristols streets and public transport in time for this deadline so that all residents have either access to electric car charging stations for private vehicle, or bus/train transport connections for public vehicles?

QUESTION PQ02Subject: Development of residential spacesQuestion submitted by: William Mountford

St Pauls is the site of numerous housing developments, with little development of supporting facilities or infrastructure, such as parking, doctors, or green space. On top of this, the entire region exists in a state of constant, illegal air pollution. Will this council and the mayor commit to prohibit the development of residential spaces on roads where living in them would pose a health hazard to the occupants?

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

QUESTION PQ 03Subject: Locally-led parking and road safety activity in BS3Question submitted by: Matt Gibbs

The Mayor has said many times that any request for a new residents’ parking has to be locally led, not dictated by City Hall. Most recently at Full Council in November 2020. To recap on locally-led activity in BS3 on the topic during his administration:

1. In Autumn 2018 MP Karin Smyth shared documents, information and support with local BS3 residents, who then connected with local councillors on the issue.

2. All four local BS3 councillors (2 Green and 2 Labour) came together to commission an independent Parking & Road Safety Study. [1]

3. The councillors secured a great deal of local support including:o Free support of a local BS3-based market research consultancy. o Local businesses housing drop-off points for paper surveys, o local media outlets publicising the survey o and promotion from local social groups.

4. Local people responded overwhelmingly in favour of new residents parking across all regions. For example, figures rise to 74% in favour of a new residents parking in Ashton - that is overwhelming support.

5. In June 2019 local social scientists rebuffed an attempt by the mayor’s administration to discredit the results; based on not quoting the sample size. The sample size was in the report, as was the margin of error calculation showing that the results reliably reflect sentiment within the local area. [2]

6. In late 2019/early 2020 Cllr Dudd conducted a new study into the same topic. 7. Again, residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of new residents parking in the area. [3]

Again, the Mayor’s administration tried to discredit the results based on response rate. [4] Again, local social scientists proved publicly that the results can be trusted as a reliable reflection of sentiment within the local population. [5]

8. Since then, local people have taken time to raise questions at full council highlighting how not acting on the results impacts our Quality of Life, Emergency Access, Service vehicle access, Environmental policies, Cycling & walking, Air Quality, Safety of young children, elderly and disabled people, and the overall liveability of the area. [6]

9. Local groups have now been set up to take action on the specific issue of RPZ, collaborating with other local groups who are aligned such as Let’s Walk Bedminster.

o …which has been active since 2015, especially focussed on keeping footways free of clutter from overhanging hedges, recycling bins and parked cars.

10. Local groups are now collaborating with other groups in the City, to try and get a collective voice heard.

11. Local people, led by Let’s Walk Bedminster, are now collaborating with UWE and have commissioned an independent report into Liveable Neighbourhoods in the area – with RPZ being a core assessment point.

In light of all of the above locally-led activity on the topic, and overwhelming sentiment in favour of new residents parking in the local area, the question is a simple one, what else do you want local people to do?

[1] Parking & Road Safety Report 2019 - https://www.ratebs3.com/[2] Parking & Road Safety Report 2019 pages 11 & 12 - https://www.ratebs3.com/

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

[3] Summary of Bristol City Council’s Parking Survey Results 2020 (link)[4] Cllr Dudd's letter regarding Bedminster and Southville parking survey (August 2020) (link)[5] Full Council Meeting 10th Nov 2020[6] Full Council Meeting 10th Nov 2020 - Supplementary Information – Answers to Public Forum Received (link)

QUESTION PQ 04 & PQ 05Subject: A Manifesto for Protecting Bristol’s Existing Urban ForestQuestion submitted by: Mark Ashdown

PQ04: Does the Mayor and the Council endorse Bristol Tree Forum's manifesto for protecting Bristol’s existing urban forest (set out below)?

PQ05: If so, what steps will the Mayor and the Council take to implement the manifesto?

A Manifesto for Protecting Bristol’s Existing Urban Forest

Bristol has declared a climate and ecological emergency. An emergency means making radical changes now - in every council department, by every developer, and by all those who own or care for trees. All these proposals fit under Bristol’s existing 2011 Bristol Development Framework Core Strategy - BCS9 Green Infrastructure Policy which should now be implemented. We must stop the needless destruction of so many trees in our city and instead learn to work around and with them.

Everyone from all sides of the political spectrum is talking about planting trees. We fully endorse this, but it will take time for these new trees to mature. In the meantime, retaining existing trees will have the biggest immediate effect.

We propose that • There needs to be genuine community engagement in Bristol's tree management decisions. The council

needs to listen to communities that want to save trees, not just to those who want to remove them. • Urban trees (planted or self-sown) have a tough life. Many bear the wounds and scars of previous damage

or interventions. These trees, though they may not be perfect, should be valued for the ecosystem services they provide and retained with appropriate and careful management wherever possible.

• Alternatives to felling must be given priority, whether for street trees, or for those threatened by planning applications, or for other trees in the public or the private space.

• We need to strengthen planning policies to help retain trees on development sites by building around them, especially when the trees are on the edge of the site.

• Veteran and ancient trees require specialist management to ensure their retention whenever possible. • When surveys identify trees that present a risk, there should be consultation about the range of options

available to mitigate the risk. This should always balance risk with the benefits the tree provides. Felling is only ever a last resort.

• If trees must be felled, then more trees need to be planted to replace them. This should be based on well-established metrics used to calculate how to increase (not just replace) the natural capital of the lost tree.

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

QUESTION PQ06Subject: AdvertorialsQuestion submitted by: Suzanne Audrey

It is my understanding that an 'advertorial' is newspaper, magazine or website content that is made to look and read like the publication's own content but is, in fact, a paid advertisement. 'Advertorials' relating to Mayor Marvin Rees are printed in newspapers (notably Bristol Post but there may be others).

Question 1. Please can you explain the process of paying for these advertorials i.e. are they paid for through a Bristol City Council budget, the Labour Party, or some other budget? Question 2. Is the work associated with drafting and submitting the advertorials undertaken and paid for as part of the work of officers employed through Bristol City Council funding, or through an alternative budget e.g. the Labour Party?

QUESTION PQ07Subject: “Parklet Permits”Question submitted by: Rob Bryher

Question to Cllr Kye Dudd -

At present, households within Residents' Parking Zones are able to apply for permission to park a vehicle or set of vehicles within the boundaries of that zone. This is granted through the issuing of Parking Permits.

There is currently no equivalent process for households who do not own motorised vehicles but want to use road space for a different use that is more convenient for them and/or the wider community. This could include secure/covered cycle storage, a pocket park/parklet or other practical and imaginative uses that benefit the whole community (e.g. durable, waterproof storage for an on-street community library).

Would you be willing to meet (virtually or physically, as necessary) with me and residents from other no-car households to discuss the setting up of a "Parklet Permit" scheme and the particulars of how it could work in more depth?

QUESTION PQ 08Subject: eScooter trialQuestion submitted by: Andrew Varney

We recently saw the launch of the eScooter trial for Bristol. It’s been billed as a low-carbon alternative form of transport to get around Bristol. Unfortunately, you can only use them in the city centre so they are unlikely to encourage the vast majority of Bristolians to change their travelling habits. To really make a difference, they need to be available at our park and ride sites and other key suburban locations so that people have a real choice in how they travel. Would the Mayor be able to investigate the possibility of extending the coverage of the scheme and report back on his findings because as it

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

stands, it’s a missed opportunity and the eScooters are likely to end up as nothing more than a novelty for tourists?

QUESTION PQ09Subject: Motorway-bound trafficQuestion submitted by: Andrew Varney

The Mayor may be aware that road signs on Callington Road currently advise drivers heading for the M4 motorway to travel into the city along the A4 through the densely-populated suburb of Brislington West, where congestion and pollution is already a serious issue. I’m sure the Mayor would agree with me that it would be more sensible to encourage this motorway-bound traffic to head out of the city and onto the ring road instead. That is after all, the purpose of ring roads. Could the Mayor say when the road signs will be changed?

QUESTION PQ10 & PQ11Subject: Regional Transport Bodies and Public TransportQuestion submitted by: David Redgewell

PQ10 - With the transfer of public bus services to the west of England mayoral combined authority. Without percept powers what action is being taken in this year's Bristol City Council budget in conjunction with BANES and South Gloucestershire Council to budget to maintain key social support bus network especially in

- South Bristol, Brislington, Knowle, Hengrove, Whitchurch, Harcliffe and Withywood. - North Bristol across for Avonmouth, Lawrence Western, Southmead to Lockleaze and Cheswick

to Bristol Parkway. - East Bristol from Bristol Parkway to Staple Hill, Hillfields and Kingswood.

It is very important to continue revenue support for bus services in conjunction with the Department For Transport Covid19 bus operators grant.

PQ11 - With regards to regional Government what action is being taken to make sure that the city and county of Bristol and the city region are getting its fair share of resources and schemes from the Western Gateway Transport Board and the Western Gateway Partnership?

In view of the importance the Government give to regional bodies such as the Northern powerhouse and Transport for the North, The Midlands Engine and the South West Transport Board. All of which are get major projects funding and delivery. We note in the South West, Dawlish Sea Wall Railway Scheme, Plymouth Station, Exeter Bus Station opening the Exeter Central to Okehampton railway line this year and rebuilding the St Ives railway this week.

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

QUESTION PQ12Subject: Victoria Rooms Covid-19 Test Centre entrance on Sunderland Place.Question submitted by: Julian Brenard

I would like to thank you for your support on the issue that I have been dealing with on behalf of myself and the residents of Sunderland Place. It regards the Victoria Rooms Covid-19 Test Center entrance on our street and the threat and disruption it is causing the residents and my wife and myself as vulnerable people.

After my zoom meeting at the full council meeting, I really appreciated you sending an officer up to meet me to discuss the issue. I have had long email conversations with an officer from the DHSC to try and have the entrance moved but so far, with little success.

I am particular concerned with the increased infection rates and potentially increased numbers of people coming up our street as a result of the new virus mutation and my question to you is:

Q. Can you revise and then let me see the new risk assessment and mitigations of the increased dangers and impacts to the residents of Sunderland Place please?

I have attached 2 photos showing the potential for confrontation on the narrow pavement with the residents as they leave their residences with the people with Covid-19 symptoms on their way to the test centre.

1) The exit from my front door leads direct onto the pavement.

2) Pedestrian (with Covid, without mask) would have bumped into me.

QUESTION PQ13Subject: St.Luke’s roadQuestion submitted by: Tom Bosanquet

Thankyou for your responses to questions on St.Luke's Rd at the last meeting. I was struck by your reply to Ed Plowden where you noted that St.Luke's Rd is a key link from South Bristol. While the desire for efficient traffic flow is absolutely understandable, I fail to see why all local residents must put up with the continual dangers of speeding vehicles along this stretch, something mirrored all around Bristol. This is a busy pedestrian route to Victoria Park and the St.Mary Redcliffe Primary - safe

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Agenda item 6 b – Public questions

access to park space is especially pertinent in the current pandemic and Prime Minister Johnson said today that "For most children the most dangerous part of going to school, even in the midst of this global pandemic, remains I’m afraid crossing the road in order to get there".

Do you believe the actions of Bristol Council have given enough focus to dealing with the antisocial aspects of motor vehicles, both citywide (beyond the welcome focus on central routes) and in specific areas such as St.Luke's Rd, as regularly highlighted by residents?

QUESTION PQ14Subject: Mardyke StepsQuestion submitted by: Katy Grant

The Public Right of Way from Cliftonwood down Church Path Steps (also known as the Mardyke Steps) to the Hotwell Road has been closed since the end of December 2019. This is due to the partial collapse of a retaining wall which supports the Steps; the steps are deemed unsafe for public use. The wall is privately owned, so BCC Highway officers have decided that BCC should cover 50% of the cost of repair, and that the owner of the wall should be required to cover the other 50%. Getting the green light to proceed on this basis has proven more troublesome than expected, as the owner has so far been unresponsive to BCC efforts to negotiate a cost-sharing arrangement. The Clifton ward Councillors have so far not been able to persuade the Council team to share the name and contact details of the owner of the wall, and in the meantime, a year has already passed, with the popular shortcut closed. We understand that the Council are now seeking external Legal Advice as how best to proceed. It makes sense that officers want to pursue the owner of the failing wall for a fair contribution to the cost of repair, and we agree that the Council must use public money wisely; but insisting that the repair work cannot begin before this process is complete means that the Steps will continue to be closed for the foreseeable future. This is unacceptable to local residents who have endured this loss of amenity for a year already. The Mardyke Steps are a much-loved, much-used access route for Clifton ward residents to the harbourside, and they play an important role in the city’s stated aim of encouraging walking in and between communities. On behalf of local people in Cliftonwood, and Clifton, we are asking that the BCC honour its duty under the 1980 Highways Act to keep the highway clear. Would it be possible for the Council to start the repair work right away, and retroactively pursue the owner for their 50% share of the costs, under Section 290(6) of the Public Health Act 1936? Is it not the case that proceeding with the work, is a reasonable risk for BCC to take on - rather than keeping the Steps closed during the already-drawn out process of negotiating with the owner?

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