Bristol City Council — Local services in Bristol

I oppose the so-called 'Clean Air Zone' you have put in place in Bristol, and I am speaking as an Environmental Science graduate who should theoretically be in favour of effective pollution-reduction schemes. This short-sighted ego project of the current mayor has caused an immeasurable amount of inconvenience and stress to the poorer residents of Bristol, and is an annoyance and disincentive for almost every visitor to the city.

Far from reducing pollution, it has only succeeded in increasing the miles that polluting vehicles must drive to bypass the city. The effects on CO2 emissions are either negligible or actually positive (i.e. they have served to increase overall emissions), because drivers are now disincentivised from using the most efficient routes. Furthermore, those alternative routes now have more traffic attempting to pass through them, increasing traffic blockages and the number of idling vehicles emitting greenhouse gases. You have not reduced harmful NOx pollution either - only moved it elsewhere - for the same reason.

Those who work in the city or must pass through it for work now face a daily fine of at least £9, or £45 per week. This may not seem like a lot to those privileged, overpaid, Tesla-driving councilors who pass down such decisions to the populace, but it is devastating to those who are already struggling under the burden of a cost-of-living crisis, whose only recourse is to buy an expensive newer vehicle or find a new home and new employment. What contempt for the most deprived citizens of Bristol! I will pay you one compliment though - your comic timing is impeccable. Implementing this right at the moment when people are struggling the most, having endured two years of lockdowns and prices skyrocketing everywhere? This is the moment you decide to introduce your vanity project? Hilarious.

Nobody feels as though they have a voice on this matter. After waiting 75 minutes to speak to a human being, I was told that this absurd scheme is just how things are, and that nothing I said would make any difference. When I asked why first-time victims weren't given a grace period or written warning rather than being immediately fined, I was told that such a system was in place for six weeks, after which the Council changed rules to an immediate penalty. This is consistent with the Council's apparent aim of making all of its services progressively worse over time.

This is a thinly-veiled money-making scheme for the Council. Penalising citizens for driving in the city before fixing the atrocious public transport system (which I have endured many times over the past 10 year) is a low-IQ move. Your scheme has decimated the city center more than the pandemic ever could. The place is dead now (you must be aware of this, having access to the data) and shops are closing at an accelerated rate because it's simply not worth people's time or effort to travel to them anymore. Many will think 'why should I support a city that transparently has contempt for me, and punches down at me on a daily basis?'.

I used to be proud of living in Bristol, but the rot has been setting in for years now. It used to be a friendly, exciting and cool place to be. Congratulations - you have ruined it in so many ways, and you aren't even aware of the fact because you're too busy patting yourselves on the back.

You should.. Repeal the Clean Air Zone with immediate effect and write off any outstanding fines. Issue an apology to the residents of Bristol who have been adversely affected by your scheme. Fix the atrocious public transport system. More buses, better service, and absolutely NO cashless nonsense. I will not be refused entry for paying for my trip...

Discriminatory and negligent.

After the severe accident I was in which caused the NDE, Bristol City Council made it extremely difficult for me as someone who had severe injury to gain access to my records legally at the time and a copy of the health and safety inspection they took of the sign.

I still cannot believe the negligence I experienced from them but I'm grateful I made it out alive from the accident and that god brought me back to tell the tale 🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻🌟

They say what goes around comes around...

Shame that people pay so much in tax to government organisations yet they don't support vulnerable adults when necessary and required.

They also did not process a travel pass when I was unwell and in need of one and didn't give me help in gaining accessible and more suitable accommodation.

This organisation is discriminatory and negligent against disabled people. They need to do more urgently.

People who are unwell shouldn't have to chase staff and make numerous complaints to get urgent support and help.

God sees all. I'm...

I parked my car in a parking bay .. couple days later I been informed that around my car placed notice that parking suspended. The day on the suspension is the same as they place suspension notice .. by the law you should inform public that you will suspend this bays and give some days to make sure people knows not for a day you just decide. I paying tax road and insurance that my car can be on public roads as long as I need not when you gonna tell me to move as you place that notice ... I may not around my car and will not be able to move and then you will be issue a fine for me ?!?! .. it's ridiculous.. how do you even allow that happen.. you work for people for a public not for a company's . That asked you place that notice and you not even look that parking space already occupied. I call yesterday to let you know and I been told to move my car anyway .. and if I move I will need to pay for a Clair air zone .. this Bristol city council is...