Welcome to CHIS

CHIS Streetscape

Maggie Shapland
Streetscape- the term which describes all that one sees in a street in addition to buildings, such as pavements, street furniture, traffic and other signs. Whereas attention is often paid to preserving buildings, especially in Conservation Areas, the streetscape is often overwhelmed by unecessary clutter and poor workmanship.

Check the planning application for what the developers intend to do
Take photos before development to make sure the same paving is put back

Street Light Survey and Strategy in a Conservation Area

In an endeavour to find out what the Council policy towards lighting after several lanterns had been replaced inappropriately, I wrote this letter and received the following informative report outlining Council Lighting Strategy.
May 08: I have now done a survey of all the lamp posts and lanterns in BS8 and found an amazing variety, particularly cast iron ones. This will be used as part of the updated Clifton Conservation Area statement. First step will be to use this to bring back more appropriate lights in Christchurch Rd and Clifton Park Road rather than the incongruous odd new ones which stick out like a sore thumb.
May 08: We applaud the globe lanterns on new posts in the Triangle, and University Road and hope to see the same in the Mall when the new development has finished

PETITION - FOOTWAY MATERIALS PRINCESS VICTORIA STREET. CLIFTON

6 December 07: The Council plan to have 6pm - 10pm, Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 December 'Light Up Bristol' lights show on The Council House & surrounds, College Green. This will cost £40,000. If they can afford this, then why can they not afford £28,000 for pennant stone paving in Clifton?
10 Sept 07: CHIS is hoping to get better quality pavings laid in Princess Victoria Street. The Council removed fine pennant stone from here in the 1970's and we feel that, as a historic conservation area and major tourist destination, Clifton deserves better than the cheapest possible option.

Response from Councillor Mark Bradshaw, 24th August
Your petition regarding the choice of materials to be used on the proposed reconstruction of the footways in Princess Victoria Street has been received by the Council and the issues raised in it have been investigated. The subject of footway materials is a difficult one that prompts discussions throughout the city. The Council have to balance the competing priorities of complying with its Statutory duties and achieving-a- pleasant environment within its recourses.
The footways in Princess Victoria Street are in a poor condition and have to be replaced. To do this in Pennant stone as requested in the petition will result in significant additional cost and result in the Council not being able to undertake other necessary footway works. The appearance of the proposed materials is not dissimilar to other roads in the area and complies with the policy of replacing footways with similar materials.
I therefore propose to continue with the installation of the small concrete slabs on this footway to achieve a safe and consistent walking surface. I note that officers have discussed this issue with you and whilst agreement could not be reached in this case, I hope that we will continue to discuss issues to reach agreement if possible.
Yours sincerely, Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Executive Member for Access & Environment, The Council House College Green Bristol BSI 5TR

CHIS is most unhappy about this response and hopes to reverse this decision. Please respond to Mark Bradshaw if you feel able (0117 9037968 or email mark.bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk), and let us know.

Examples of Good Streetscape

All show the area is cared for.

Boyce's Avenue has had its cobbles guttering replaced very nicely!
The bottom of Sion Hill and round the corner of Caledonia Place has had flagging replaced. This is great because Caledonia Place had tarmac before
Paving, signs and lights should be sympathetic with the area. The residents of Princess Victoria Street had to pay £50 per household in the mid eighties to have better looking lights put up- they are nice but a bit dim!
The old lamp standards in the Mall badly need repainting.
Sadly this 1893 lamp post was backed into by a lorry in May 2006 and has been smashed. A replica will be made
Look at the base of the lamps.
Broken lamp basebeing measured for repair.
Experimental gas light at the end of Royal York Crescent Caledonia Place has carriage stepping stones and original lights. Lamps with flowers
Light in the window above the door
Many of the balconies in Caledonia Place, West Mall and Sion Hill have lots of plants on display.
Many of the doors have lovely door fittings (iron are Georgian, brass are Victorian). The Paragon houses have round doors.
Original lettering. The lettering on Rocks Garage dates from 1929 and was found under numerous coats of paint.
Grey-Harris the jeweller in Princess Victoria Street has original door fittings and lettering
Look at the original shop front of the fish bar at the top of Princess Victoria Street.
There is a beautifully executed mural in a porch in Princess Victoria Street
St Vincent's Priory on Sion Hill is unusual.
Bristol City Council has provided very attractive litter bins. CHIS helped with design and provided funding.
Fountain at the top of Sion Hill
Magnificent railings around Clifton Rocks Railway, Sion Hill recently painted by a band of willing volunteers. Admire the rosettes, the spheres, the zigzags. To think this superb railing had been covered up for as long as I can remember. It was made by Gardiners of Bristol (look out for the name plate at the top end).
Twisted railings in Windsor Terrace
Gateway to Windsor Terrace
Railings and gate, railing corner with plants in Victoria Square
Small lion head, lion rampart, griffon foot scrapers

Examples of Bad Streetscape

Feb 07: Richard Bland has now surveyed all the Legible City signs and has reported the many defects to the Council.
Incorrect spelling of buses in Victoria Square
Bent Legible City signs point wrong way. This sign has now been removed, having been bent several times. The final straw was when a driver drove off at considerable speed, but unfortunately in reverse, badly damaging his car when he rammed the sign. At least he only damaged the sign (good foundations and solid base!), leaving it at a drunken angle, and not any pedestrians or other motorists by his stupidity.
Another sign down
Bus stop not only collects puddles of water but too small
The owner of number 50 Princess Victoria Street has performed a wanton act of vandalism? by removing original lettering from the walls of his garage, only hours after being uncovered. The lettering referred to Mr Sibley, wagon and carriage proprietor (from 1876-1901), who also took in wagons and horses. The Evening Post was informed as was the Civic Society.
damaged wall in Victoria Square walkway
wide yellow lines at the corner of Boyce's Avenue instead of the narrow yellow lines to be expected in a conservation area. A letter has been sent to Bristol City Highway Asset Management about yellow lines and “no waiting” signs by Duncan Ogilvie. We await a reply.
A totally new house on the raised Georgian terrace in Hotwell Road built faithfully and beautifully in the style of its neighbours is marred by tarmac instead of paving stones outside
Broken paving in Princess Victoria Street
Seven houses have just been built in Princess Victoria Street. The developer replaced the paving slabs with zigzag small blocks which do not match the rest of the street, and are badly laid.
Jan 2005- the kerbs are now being lifted, and changed from small cobbles to long kerbing stones so that drainage water runs down the road rather than pavement! Better, but road still messy. Why could they not learn from the guys relaying Boyces Avenue gutter, St Michaels Hill, and Sion Hill?
Battered shop fronts. Maggs House in Queens Road, got planning permission early 2004 to replace their canopy. They have finally taken it down in March 2005
Scruffy phone booths. This one in Queens Road is provided by Interphone
Posts within a foot or so of each other.
Advertising boards on pavements. Any instances of obstruction must be reported to Bristol City Council.
- too many and again and more even on a narrow pavement. Just how many signs do you need to say the same thing? There is a marked increase in the number of boards being placed on pavements, which are a difficulty for those with impaired vision. This is a matter which should be addressed by the City Council. CHIS asked Phil Cotham (Council Official) to speak to Cllr Janke and in the meantime everyone should be urged to go into the shops to point out the difficulties.
- too big so blocking narrow pavement especially when a cycle parked too! or a car
- Why have a sign in the middle of the pavement with no writing on it to say what it is for?
- detracting from beautiful lamppost
- multiple estate agents' signs
Why put a lamp post in the middle of a crossing? making it hard to cross if you have a buggy or wheel chair
Unauthorised tables and chairs on pavements.
Railings replaced by wood staves in the Mall gardens.
Wire netting next to new railings at the bottom of Sion Hill
Rusty railings look even worse having been painted white many years ago
Rock thrown into my car from pile of rocks across the road in Princess Victoria Street. A pile of loose rocks are obviously a temptation for drunken idiots.
Wire netting and accumulated rubbish left by developers for over 3 years after development completed. The Princess Victoria Street Action Group has now tidied it up after a fruitless complaints.
This bin has a notice on it stating that it must not be left on the pavement or road. Rubbish around bins, on step, after collection.
Cigarette butts floating in plastic bucket

Funny streetscape

I had to laugh when I saw St Peter's Hospice window after Christmas- not sure what the message was- we need more clothes? but it was all very tasteful, and underwear very stylish and tinselly
Bit difficult for builders to work overhead when they have pulled the building down. Perhaps they are getting divine help?

Useful websites:

Streetscape in a conservation area. Excellent article from the Building Conservation Directory 1996.
Clifton Online
Redland and Cotham Amenities Society
Bristol Civic Society
Network of Residents' Association
Civic Trust
Bristol Evening Post
Bristol City Council roads and pavements Call 0117 922 3838 about:
- Manhole covers
- Pavements
- Roads
- Kerbs
- Street nameplates
- Bollards
- Overhanging trees and shrubs
- Obstructions
- Spillages
BBC