Decision on liveable neighbourhood due next spring

The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial aims to prevent drivers from cutting through residential roads

A decision is due to be made next March on whether a liveable neighbourhood trial will become permanent.

The controversial East Bristol scheme covers parts of Barton Hill, Redfield and St George, with bollards, planters and bus gates blocking some roads in an effort to stop drivers using them as a cut-through.

Data will be analysed after the trial has been in place for six months and then published in December.

An update given to the transport committee on Thursday, revealed the council will survey the public during October and use the results, along with traffic counts and air pollution monitoring, to inform what happens next.

Drivers can still access the whole area, but some residential streets have been turned into cul-de-sacs.

Green councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport committee, said: "[April] was when the vast majority of the measures went in, so we'll be collecting data based on that for six months.

"Then it will take us time to look at that data, evaluate it and decide on the best course forward."

Interviewers from an independent polling company will phone households and knock on doors across the trial area this autumn, asking for views on the scheme.

The West of England Centre for Inclusive Living, a disability organisation, will carry out an accessibility audit too.

But the trial still has vocal opposition from campaigners and critics, who say the scheme is very unpopular.

Local resident Melissa Topping said: "The ongoing public opposition to this scheme is not simply a matter of inconvenience, it's a profound expression of the community's feeling that it's not being heard.

"The trial has been extended and the goalposts have been moved despite clear and consistent feedback from thousands of residents.

"We urge the transport committee to listen to the evidence of lived experience and recognise the real world harm being done."

The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme has been criticised by residents

Following the meeting, Green councillor Heather Mack, deputy leader of the council, said: "This administration is committed to evidence-based decision making with the voices of Bristol a crucial element of our assessment."

The upcoming surveys and traffic counts are due to provide evidence for how popular or unpopular the scheme is, as well as its effects on nearby congested routes like Church Road.

Designs for a similar scheme were recently revealed for Totterdown, Southville and Bedminster.