There are brilliant shops in Montpelier many of whom are supporting the work we do and who are already intrinsically part of our community. Our aim is to support them, other businesses and residents in Montpelier’s Transition to a lower-carbon neighbourhood within a more sustainable Bristol. Within this context it is difficult to see how a Tescos on the Cheltenham Road can be a positive addition to what we are doing such as supporting locally produced food and encouraging people to use less cars (imagine delivery vehicles and cars parked on the bus lane and bike lane outside). Sure, they may have a cashpoint, but wouldn’t it be great if Gallifords one was free? Part of our response is to help Jimahl look into this.

Please take some time to think about this.There have been numerous objections to Tescos and other supermarkets opening up locally before and much brilliant work has already started on a campaign against Tescos at the old Jesters site. Take a look at the links below where you can see a very informative piece on the PRSC blog, read a piece in the Mirror, join a Facebook group, check the Hijack blog or simply vote against the idea in a poll. An additional petition can be signed at Radford Mill Farm shop.

There is also a meeting this Monday 8th Feb’ at 7.00pm at Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft to develop a community response to the proposals. The quality of the response can obviously be influenced by attendance.

Look forward to seeing some of you there and will feedback the progress of this meeting to everyone at the Trans Mont meeting on the 10th.

PRSC blog which includes Poll

Mirror Story

Facebook Check the discussions

PollDaddy

HiJack Bristol

Tescopoly

One suggestion has been to focus on the ideological “heart” of the neighbourhood – Picton Street and the pedestrianised area from Picton St. to Richmond Road.  We are using the name “Picton Square” for the moment.

The idea is to pedestrianise and upgrade a larger area, from the last 50 metres of Picton St. to the beginning of Shaftsbury Ave., across to Bath Buildings and the Health Centre. It would become a mixed-use pavement,

If this area was upgraded we might well address several of these problems at once:

• Pedestrians, prams and wheelchairs could move much more freely
• Cars and trucks would naturally be forced to drive very slowly through the area, as the sight-lines would be very short;
• Slower traffic reduces the numbers of cars passing through
• Local shops would benefit: better pedestrian access & increased footfall;
• Residents empowered by participating in project’s design and management
• Greenery growing here and there makes environment more pleasant for all
• More local facilities will become available, such as: a street café, well-used notice-boards, a kiosk or two for street vendors;
• Street-art will reduce tagging and increase the desirable “view”;
• Art installations will become possible.

In order to accomplish all of this, some problems will need to be addressed:

• Relocation of bins left permanently on pavement by traders and residents;
• Dog-fouling and rubbish will have to be addressed;
• Residents and traders will have to agree to give up a few car-park spaces;
• Bristol highways will have to re-surface the area with coloured paviers, etc.;
• The emergency services will have to agree the routes and access.

We hope people will find these suggestions intriguing and stimulating.  There are many possibilities ahead; nothing has been decided upon, and nothing has been ruled out.  At this stage a few residents are just putting up suggestions to begin the debate. What do you think?