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Bristol car-free Sunday closes roads Bristol car-free Sunday closes roads
(about 5 hours later)
Roads in part of Bristol city centre have been closed in the city's first car-free Sunday.Roads in part of Bristol city centre have been closed in the city's first car-free Sunday.
Baldwin Street, King Street and Corn Street are among the roads shut to traffic in Mayor George Ferguson's Make Sunday Special initiative.Baldwin Street, King Street and Corn Street are among the roads shut to traffic in Mayor George Ferguson's Make Sunday Special initiative.
It is the first of five monthly events aimed at opening up the centre of Bristol for pedestrians. Some people claim Mr Ferguson - who was closing the roads from 09:00 to 18:00 BST - is anti-motorist.
But some people claim Mr Ferguson - who is closing the roads from 09:00 to 18:00 BST - is anti-motorist. But he has hailed the day a great success and said he is not concerned about the critics.
It is the first of five monthly events - costing a total of £195,000 - aimed at opening up the centre of Bristol for pedestrians.
Mr Ferguson said: "This is all about the people, cities are made up of people, not buildings and cars, and this is a wonderful demonstration and wherever I go I have been stopped by people being enthusiastic about it.
"If it has worked like this in this weather, it is going to be absolutely tremendous in finer weather."
'Love to moan'
He added that he was "optimistic" he would be able to extend the scheme in following years.
Responding to some complaints by taxi drivers he said: "They will come around to it. I love the taxi drivers, but they love to have a moan. I'm not too worried about that."
The city has been crowned the European Green Capital for 2015 and the traffic free Sunday idea was part of the bid.The city has been crowned the European Green Capital for 2015 and the traffic free Sunday idea was part of the bid.
Circus acts Similar schemes exist in Bordeaux, in south-west France, and the Colombian capital Bogota.
Similar schemes exist in Bordeaux in south-west France and the Colombian capital Bogota. A range of performers, including circus acts and choirs, took to the streets in the area surrounding St Nicholas Market.
A range of performers, including circus acts and community choirs, will take to the streets in the area surrounding St Nicholas Market. There were also games, al fresco cafe lounges and some people even brought sofas into the streets.
There will also be sports games, tours and alfresco cafe lounges. Roads closed included Small Street, Corn Street, St Nicholas Street, Baldwin Street, King Street, Marsh Street, St Stephen's Street and Queen Charlotte Street.
"This is about the city and how we bring it alive," said Mr Ferguson, who aims to extend the scheme beyond October if it proves popular. People were still able to drive into the city along routes to the main car parks.
Roads closed include Small Street, Corn Street, St Nicholas Street, Baldwin Street, King Street, Marsh Street, St Stephen's Street and Queen Charlotte Street.
People will still be able to drive into the city as there will be routes to the main car parks, Mr Ferguson added.
'Totally confused''Totally confused'
There is also provision for disabled drivers and public transport is largely unaffected. There was also provision for disabled drivers and public transport was largely unaffected.
But some taxi drivers told the BBC that they are not happy about the plans. But some taxi drivers told the BBC that they were not happy about the plans.
One said: "It's ridiculous. The passengers that want to go to the city centre, just the other side, they can't go there so you have to go all the way around."One said: "It's ridiculous. The passengers that want to go to the city centre, just the other side, they can't go there so you have to go all the way around."
Another claimed: "Everybody gets totally confused with it."Another claimed: "Everybody gets totally confused with it."
The scheme was originally due to run weekly but will run once a month due to operating costs of £195,000 for all five days. The scheme was originally due to run weekly but will run once a month due to operating costs.
The money will pay for some of the entertainment and marshalling the road closures.The money will pay for some of the entertainment and marshalling the road closures.