Works on Princess Victoria Street
Short-duration repair works are taking place on Princess Victoria Street. When the street was pedestrianised it became clear that, in the event of major storms, water in the street was not draining adequately. Following concerns raised by Paula and local traders, paving slabs have been relaid and drainage channels adjusted. Hopefully now the street will now be able to cope with the worst of British weather!
Bristol Waste new recycling containers
New recycling containers will be arriving across the city before Christmas. These will include a new red bag for plastic and cans, new blue bags for cardboard and paper, and bottles will be collected as now from the black plastic containers.
The main change is that cardboard and paper will now be recycled together and plastic and cans will be collected in a red bag. This is because the storage capacity of the bag is greater than the capacity of the boxes and it’s easier for people with limited space to store these bags than the recycling boxes. Old recycling containers that are being replaced will be collected from the kerbside as part of normal collection routines.
Avon Riverside 2100
Bristol City Council is working with the Environment Agency and the West of England Combined Authority to better protect properties along the River Avon.
This includes businesses and homes close to the harbourside in Clifton ward. They are at risk from flooding as the impact of climate change accelerates, with rising sea levels and increased risk of storms. Jerome attended a presentation from Avon Riverside 2100 at the Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association AGM to hear about local plans for flood defences. The flood engineer explained why a tidal barrage across the Avon is not the answer and why the Hotwells entrance lock will need to be replaced. To find out more and to take part in any upcoming consultations, go to www.avonriversides.co.uk.
Downs vehicle dwellers
New Bristol City Council policies and enforcement have eliminated (for now) the vehicle dwelling on and around the Clifton Downs. The possession order for the Downs (which is an important piece of the enforcement ‘jigsaw’) runs out in May 2027. Jerome is working with council staff to ensure that this possession order is renewed immediately or as soon as possible after its expiry. If it is not, the rapid and inevitable consequence, based on recent history, will be large encampments with associated antisocial behaviour.
Those film trucks
We regularly receive emails from Clifton residents complaining about filming. The trucks, the parking spaces they occupy and the general disruption are understandably a source of irritation. We can see why people ask whether it is all worth it.
So we thought we would look at what filming actually brings to Bristol.
Bristol has become one of the UK’s leading film and television centres, and the latest figures from The Bottle Yard Studios demonstrate just how much the industry contributes to our city and the wider West of England.
In 2024/25, productions supported by the studios brought almost £23 million of inward investment to the region and supported more than 170 full-time equivalent jobs. Employment among surveyed local suppliers grew by 38% between 2021 and 2024.
And this isn’t simply money going into a film studio. Productions employ local crews and freelancers and use local caterers, accommodation providers, transport companies, specialist suppliers and businesses of all kinds. They create opportunities for young people to develop skills and build careers here rather than having to leave Bristol.
There is another benefit which is harder to put a price on. When millions of people watch Wolf Hall, Rivals, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder or The Outlaws, they are seeing Bristol.
So yes, I understand the frustration when filming takes up your parking space. But perhaps the occasional inconvenience is worth seeing in context.
Those trucks are not just carrying equipment. They are carrying investment, jobs, skills — and Bristol’s name — out into the world.
Clifton LitFest
One of the things that makes Clifton such a rewarding place to represent is the number of people who give their time and energy to make things happen in the community. The Clifton LitFest is a good example.
Since February, Paula has been working with a hard-working team to put this year’s programme together, so she is particularly pleased to see it finally out in the world. Copies can now be found in local shops and cafés, in the boxes at bus stops and, of course, in Clifton Library.
The festival has grown to three full days and has become an anticipated part of the Clifton calendar, bringing a welcome bit of life and activity to the Village during those dark November days. This year’s programme ranges across politics, history, science, music, books and ideas, alongside some lighter and more entertaining events.
For Paula, it is another example of what can be achieved when people in Clifton get together and give their time to make something happen. That community involvement has always been an important part of her work as a councillor, and is one of the reasons she was happy to take on the chair of FoCCaL, the Friends of Clifton Centre and Library.
The full programme is at www.foccal.com, but do look out for the printed brochure too. There’s something rather nice about picking one up and browsing through it — and perhaps discovering something you hadn’t expected to want to see.
Contact us
cllr.jerome.thomas@bristol.gov.uk
cllr.paula.orourke@bristol.gov.uk