In a recent study (paper in PDF format) by researchers at Stanford University, Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most-populous nation, came in last among 46 countries and territories for the number of walking steps its citizens take, averaging only 3,513 a day. By comparison, Hong Kong was first with 6,880, and China second with 6,189. Ukraine, Japan and […]
Better for buses – but what about pedestrians? BWA has responded to Bristol City Council proposals for improving the bus route into Bristol city centre along Hotwell Road and Anchor Road. In our response to the consultation, we state our belief that the opportunity provided by this kind of infrastructure investment is not being adequately
In common with many local authorities, Bristol City Council prides itself on working to encourage its citizens to improve their well-being by getting out for regular walks. Despite this, their proposals to save £4.7 million over the next three years includes one to reduce the budget for public toilets. This year’s budget has already been
The Bristol City Council Cycle Ambition Fund includes provision for creating a new radial cycle route called the Filwood Quietway. It is proposed to pass through Victoria Park and Northern Slopes, two green spaces used for recreation. The Council have consulted on the route through Victoria Park before, when their proposal for a 4.5m wide
BWA has objected to proposals for ten phone kiosks to be erected on pavements in Bristol City Centre, both for their siting and their appearance. It seems this is happening in several places. In a city centre, with existing public phones and good mobile signals, there is no justification for extra kiosks as public utilities.
In our walking environment, ‘legibility’ is a term used to describe how easy it is to see where to go and how to get there. In spaces that are shared with others, such as cyclists, this becomes a matter of safety as well as convenience. Bristol City Council, in response to public feedback made in
Dear West of England Metro Mayor candidate, Bristol Walking Alliance is a coalition of over twenty organisations campaigning to improve the walking environment within the city. We want the Metro Mayor to take bold and visionary decisions to make cities and towns in the West of England world-class places for walking, and we seek your
When the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 was being haggled over, land-owners wanted clarity about footpaths on their land and the Government agreed that the official record of footpaths and bridleways should be closed to new applications based on historical evidence. Back in 2000, the cut-off date of 2025 seemed a safe distance
BWA has decided to start a campaign on the problem of pavement parking. This article describes our initial thinking. The problem Feedback from the public BWA event on 15 October 2016, has indicated that a key priority for people is the growing problem of pavement parking. Obstruction on the pavement breaches Equalities legislation and puts
The four local authorities of the West of England have published a draft Spatial Plan and a draft Transport Vision for the next 20 years. The BWA has commented on the draft Transport Vision. We support much of the Vision, particularly the goal of ‘transport-focussed development’, with new housing in existing urban centres and settlements
