Members of South Gloucestershire Green Party strongly oppose the planned changes to the Avon Ring Road released by South Gloucestershire Council on Monday.
“The Council claims these plans will reduce CO2 emissions but they are building capacity for more cars on our roads,” says South Glos Greens coordinator Dan Johnston. “The proposals for five monstrous Mega-roundabouts will do nothing to tackle the climate emergency and will instead cause environmental damage and an increase in car dependency. Local residents have also shared with us their concerns about many years of disruption to the roads and the potential worsening of air quality, especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma.”
South Glos Greens recommend that the council scraps the plans and focuses on improving cycling infrastructure and bus routes instead.
“The current cycle route adjacent to the ring road is useful,” comments Green Party campaigner Oliver Owen, “But it is poorly connected to our town centres and local high streets. The money being spent on the current proposals could fund a cycling revolution in South Glos and bring life back to the heart of our communities.”
The Greens are open to working with councillors to suggest new, ambitious transport policies and will be advising members to respond to the council’s consultation on the Ring Road plans.
Respond to the consultation here by 16th August.