FRESH calls have been made to shut Circular Road in the Downs to deter joy-riders.
The Downs committee, formed of councillors and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, previously called on Bristol City Council to close the road. This call went unheeded, and the road has stayed open, for now.
But after hearing from residents about the rising problems, the committee said the closure should again be considered. The committee met on September 15, when members heard from several people who live nearby about their concerns over anti-social drivers.
Tony Nelson, who leads the Protect the Downs campaign, said: “What cost estimates have you done for really simple and quick measures that will stop the dangers to life of people driving on the grass at 50mph? Posts such as those down Ladies Mile can be quickly and cheaply inserted.”
The Downs committee oversees the running of the park, but doesn’t have the powers to close the roads there. This could be taken by councillors on the transport policy committee.
Conservative Councillor Henry Michallat, lord mayor and Downs committee chair, said: “The situation with joyriding and people driving on the Downs is ridiculous and is harming the grass. There isn’t the ability to have an ongoing police presence, however I believe that over the summer there has been a slight increase in the police presence — but nowhere near enough.”
Mike Bothamley, a Merchant Venturer, added: “Probably two years ago this committee resolved to ask the council’s highway authority to close off Circular Road, save for emergency and disabled access. This would enable cyclists, runners and pedestrians to use it, but nobody else.
“Closing Circular Road could have a real material impact on reducing the ability of these guys to get onto the green sward. That proposal though would immediately give rise to a number of objections from single-issue pressure groups. So we’re in between a rock and a hard place.”