Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for the pedestrianisation of a street near Bristol Temple Meads station. The railway arches along Oxford Street in the Dings are home to two microbreweries, a bakery and a pasty shop, making it a well-loved spot for an after-work drink.
However, the pavement running alongside the arches is narrow and frequently obstructed by parked cars and vans, while the road itself is wide but sees relatively little traffic. A growing movement is now pushing for a transformation of that stretch of Oxford Street, with campaigners keen to see it become a vibrant, people-friendly high street.
To date, more than 800 people have put their name to a petition demanding the changes. The street sits at the heart of the Temple Quarter regeneration zone, which extends from west of the train station eastwards along St Philip's Marsh — an area set to see thousands of new homes built in the coming years.
What the petition seeks
The petition is seeking formal recognition of Oxford Street as a local high street, improved street design offering greater space for outdoor seating and trading, as well as the renovation of additional railway arches. The campaign has received the backing of Bristol's Business Improvement District (BID).
The BID's website says: "With a strong mix of independent food, drink and hospitality venues, there's a real opportunity to build on what's already happening here. These changes would help transform Oxford Street into a vibrant, people-friendly high street at the heart of Temple Quarter, a space where people want to spend time, not just pass through."
Proposed changes and local traders
Under the proposals, Oxford Street would become one-way for vehicles, designed to cut traffic levels while maintaining access for local workers and residents. Independent traders occupying the arches include Little Martha Brewing, Forest Bakery, the Pasty Emporium and Unwin's Brewery.
The proposals mirror recent transformations elsewhere across Bristol, such as Princess Victoria Street in Clifton Village and Cotham Hill. Both streets have seen bollards installed and sections of the road reallocated as pedestrian zones with outdoor café seating.
