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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/18/bristol-plans-ban-tree-climbing-skateboarding-parks
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Bristol plans ban for tree-climbing, skateboarding and 'annoying' football | Bristol plans ban for tree-climbing, skateboarding and 'annoying' football |
(about 5 hours later) | |
One of the UK's most vibrant and outdoorsy cities has been accused of trying to clamp down on alfresco fun by proposing bans on activities ranging from tree-climbing to the lighting of barbecues in more than 200 parks and open spaces. | |
Officials at Bristol city council have drawn up a series of suggested new bylaws that also cover skateboarding or playing football in an "annoying" way, and critics claim they could even prevent the setting up of children's sun tents or windbreaks. | |
A detailed report says the idea is to tackle "antisocial and nuisance behaviours that are adversely affecting our communities". | |
The report, (pdf) to be considered by the council, states: "By introducing bylaws, there is no intention to restrict people's freedom to use parks and green spaces or to impose a blanket ban on the activities covered. The aim is only to tackle activities that are of an antisocial nature and cause considerable nuisance to other parks users and local residents." | |
Over a two-year period to March 2013, the council and police received more than 3,000 complaints about issues that could be covered by the bylaws, which would ultimately need the approval of the communities secretary, Eric Pickles. | Over a two-year period to March 2013, the council and police received more than 3,000 complaints about issues that could be covered by the bylaws, which would ultimately need the approval of the communities secretary, Eric Pickles. |
Some of the proposed bylaws, including a ban on archery and javelin-throwing, have not led to objections. But the Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wright said many of the proposals were an "illiberal assault on civil liberty". He added: "The proposed new bans are a massive over-reaction to issues that are better managed by education and common sense." | |
Most city centre residents lived in flats, he said. The bylaws would effectively prevent them from ever enjoying a freshly barbecued burger. And those involving ball games or skateboarding would lead to the stamping out of those activities. "This package of bans will quickly lead to a substantial deterioration in relations between the police and young people." | |
Wright pointed out that the public consultation on the bylaws ran last summer, which meant that most of Bristol's many students – who may be disproportionately affected by some of the proposals – were not involved. | Wright pointed out that the public consultation on the bylaws ran last summer, which meant that most of Bristol's many students – who may be disproportionately affected by some of the proposals – were not involved. |
A Hollywood-style sign on the slopes of the Avon Gorge welcoming visitors to "Bristoland" has been taken down after wags removed the O and R, added an apostrophe and changed the message to the less positive "It's bland". | A Hollywood-style sign on the slopes of the Avon Gorge welcoming visitors to "Bristoland" has been taken down after wags removed the O and R, added an apostrophe and changed the message to the less positive "It's bland". |
The report was to be considered by the full council on Tuesday but the mayor, George Ferguson, asked for it to be withdrawn after the criticism. He tweeted that the measures went on to the agenda "without my full involvement". | |
Ferguson said he had asked for further briefing on the proposals, which would be given "cool consideration" after the local elections in May. Ferguson said he had spent his life championing the right of children to | |
play outside . He said: "There's no city leader in the world that | |
recognises the importance of children playing outside than I do." Ferguson | |
said he was away last week and was surprised to see the bylaws on the | |
agenda to be discussed by the full council. | |
He said more work was needed to balance the need to deal with anti-social | |
behaviour in parks with that of making sure they are "fully available" for | |
play and recreation. |