OVER half a million pounds is expected to be spent on the pedestrianisation of Overton Road — almost triple the amount originally earmarked for the project, the Bishopston Voice can report.
The scheme, which aims to “reduce car dependency and encourage walking”, is set to cost in the region of £561,000 — the budget was originally £204k.
Work began on the scheme in April this year and is due to be completed in August 2025.
The Bishopston Voice understands that the significant cost increase is due to an undervaluation of the project at the bidding stage, coupled with rising construction costs.
Additional funding had to be secured from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA), through the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) money pot.
But the project – which pedestrianises the small 38-yard link road between North Road and Gloucester Road – has been met with criticism, with one resident, Barry Cash, claiming it is a “ridiculous waste of money”.
He added: “Bizarrely, they claim making cars take a three-quarters of a mile detour to reach North Road will ‘reduce carbon emissions and air pollution’.”
He also says that he was unaware that a consultation on the scheme had taken place.
Mr Cash said: “I regularly use businesses on Gloucester Road and walk past this road at least twice a week.
“But I had no idea that a consultation exercise had taken place. Did anyone else know? Democracy does not mean having your way. But shouldn’t it mean having your say?”
He added: “Riding on a bus down Gloucester Road is like being on a bouncy castle.
“There’s no money to fill in the potholes. And don’t bother reporting blocked drains unless a building’s being flooded. No money again.
“The closure will ‘contribute to better safety and health, (and) improve quality of life’ says the council.
“I suggest a doctor or dentist’s appointment is more likely to do that. I really cannot believe that this is what residents want their taxes spent on.”
The Bishopston Voice understands that 75 per cent of more than 300 respondents to the consultation approved of the initial proposals in a survey released in 2022.
The scheme was also praised by local councillors, with Ashley ward’s Green councillor Tim Wye, saying that he was “really pleased” about the scheme and that it was “something Green councillor in Ashley have been requesting for some time”.
Green councillor for Ashley, Izzy Russell said: “After so long in planning, we are pleased to see that the works on Overton Road are now well underway and soon we will have a new liveable street.
“The purpose of liveable streets is to make local areas safer, healthier, more inclusive and attractive.
“The current designs proposed do just this, by upgrading the public realm, providing benches and a public space where people can meet along the popular, but crowded, Gloucester road.
“The comments we have received are overwhelming positive. A few people have complained, mainly about the money could have been better used. It is important to note that this money could only be used for these purposes.”
According to a spokesperson from the council, “[The £561,000] figure includes the costs of materials, machinery, labour, administration, power and other miscellaneous elements of a civil engineering scheme.”
The Overton Road project is being completed alongside the Princess Victoria Street scheme in Clifton, which is currently facing delays and has required further investment from WECA.
Image: Barry Cash