Green Party send message of ‘priorities’ as they prepare to lead Bristol City Council

The Green Party is the largest party on Bristol City Council after last week’s election – and their policy document is getting Bristol Live readers talking about what they want the new entrants to bring to the table.

The manifesto, full of bold policies and promises, became a hot topic in our comments section, prompting readers to weigh in on the potential impact these changes could have on the city.

Commenter Lesserknown19 talked about tourist taxes: “Companies will see this as a tax that may influence them to relocate due to rising costs. Tourist tax to discourage what tourism we have. Adding to the decimation of the heart of the city. More unaffordable housing.”

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Junius1 said: “The acid test will be how the points in the manifesto expressed as general principles are translated into practice. It is disappointing that the manifesto makes no reference to mass transport – either trams or trolleybuses. However, he is committed to ensuring that WECA and its mayor maximize government funding for Bristol. This would include mass transport funding that Bristol lost last year.”

“Traffic congestion and pollution cannot be solved without a mass transit option in the mix. Enhancing bus service through franchising cannot achieve this on its own. Reducing high-rises and having more conventional two-storey ‘suburban’ housing is likely to require strategic regional housing planning, as it is questionable how much more new housing development the city of Bristol can take. At some point the Greens will have to look at the current Council Tax Cut Scheme and recognize a public demand for change”.

Grockel1 said: “Why not an electric/maglev monorail above ground – as green as possible and limited impact on current infrastructure? Even reduce dependence on First Bus by having a public sector network”.

Table For Two commented: “Order a tram system. The metro bus is a waste of space. It was never going to solve the necessary, cheap, environmentally friendly and reliable service that Bristol had and should get at some point.”

HanhamHeights replied: “Trams are expensive and disruptive, why do we need trolleybuses, electric, clean, no rails needed, just a few cables to charge them and can run on battery in places you don’t install cables.”

Blackbeard83 is concerned about the housing situation: “With a waiting list of 20,000 council homes, we need them prioritised. But housing is the most expensive outside of London, so there is plenty to do for everyone. Bristol needs another 50,000 homes in reality. No budget for tidal energy. Anyway, that depends on the central government. 20mph rules will be hugely unpopular, as shown in Wales. You need tower blocks to meet housing demand. The Greens don’t have a majority so we’ll see what happens. Without the mayor, they have to negotiate. What happens to council houses? Labor had a big plan, they didn’t see a target from the Greens”.

Brizzlebee said: “Why not come up with a viable, electable alternative or at least give the Greens the benefit of the doubt until they have a chance to make changes?”

So what do you think of the future of Bristol led by the Greens? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.