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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 al fresco fun by proposing bans on activities ranging from tree-climbing to the lighting of barbecues in more than 200 parks and open spaces. 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.
Bristol city council has 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. 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.
The council, headed by the independent directly elected mayor, George Ferguson, said the idea was to tackle "antisocial and nuisance behaviours that are adversely affecting our communities". A detailed report says the idea is to tackle "antisocial and nuisance behaviours that are adversely affecting our communities".
A 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." 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 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." 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."
He said most city centre residents lived in flats and did not have a garden, so habitually used parks for summer barbecues. "The large majority of parks have no designated barbecue facility and most likely never will. The ban on barbecues everywhere except designated areas is therefore a de facto total ban in the vast majority of parks, and for the large majority of central residents with no garden it is a de facto ban on enjoying barbecues full stop." 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 said bylaws involving ball games or skateboarding would lead to the stamping out of those activities in a city keen on the sports. "These measures will likely lead to the stamping out of skateboarding and ball games in parks as the police and wardens respond to those who dislike such activities."
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.
He said: "This package of bans will quickly lead to a substantial deterioration in relations between the police and young people, who will inevitably be the main target of police action as a result."
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 Ferguson asked for it to be withdrawn following 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 and said they would be given "cool consideration" after the local elections in May. 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.