*TAKE ACTION on EBLN* - Your Voice Can Stop the EBLN Disaster from Becoming Permanent
24/7 Digital Surveillance & Fines Planned for St. George and Barton Hill
Hello, Stop EBLN subscribers. This is an urgent email which will be sent out multiple times over the next few weeks. Below are 2 ways you can take action against the EBLN road blocks by submitting your opposition to Bristol City Council.
Over 7,200 people (source) are opposed to the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN) Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in St George and Barton Hill. Regardless of this overwhelming opposition, this so-called “liveable” scheme has already caused chaos with road closures, traffic jams, and barriers that hurt families, businesses, people’s mental health, and limits emergency access.
Now, Bristol City Council is proposing changes that could lead to making the EBLN permanent unless we flood these consultations with opposition.
📡 24/7 Digital Surveillance Planned for Residents in St. George and Barton Hill
In one of the proposals below, the council has performed the ultimate Bait & Switch: digital surveillance of citizens. They have moved the goalposts from “making the roads safer, reducing pollution and carbon emissions”, to surveilling residents 24/7 with ANPR cameras. This is only one step away from a UK-wide social credit system being implemented in Bristol.
The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has publicly stated that she wants to create a “Panopticon” system of state surveillance where “the eyes of the state can be on you at all times” (Source).
How You Can Fight Back
These consultations are your chance to fight back. Filling them out is critical.
If enough residents from St George, Barton Hill, and surrounding areas say “NO” clearly and strongly, we can force the Council to scrap EBLN for good. Strong public pushback has worked in Birmingham and London. But YOU must take action.
Don’t sit this out - your input could be the difference.
Below are explanations on each consultation, what’s different about them, and exactly what you need to do. Remember, be honest about how EBLN has harmed your daily life, but keep it factual and polite to make your points count legally.
📹 Consultation 1: Moving Traffic Enforcement Consultation on Proposed Use of Camera Enforcement at The Avenue (St. George) and Ducie Road Bridge
What it’s about: This one focuses specifically on replacing bollards with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at two spots: Ducie Road bridge over the railway, and the junction of The Avenue, Jubilee Road, and Beaufort Road. The idea is to speed up access for emergency services and exempted drivers (like taxis and Blue Badge holders) while fining others who break the rules. It’s part of new “Moving Traffic Enforcement” powers the Council wants to use.
This sounds like a fix, but it’s really about entrenching EBLN controls with tech that could stay forever, tracking and fining locals instead of removing barriers.
Who can join: Local people, stakeholders, and businesses – especially those affected in St George and Barton Hill.
Deadline: Open now until 15 April 2026. You have a bit more time, but don’t wait!
What action to take:
Go to the link: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ask/find-consultation-engagement/consultation-engagement?id=276
Read the short description on the page.
Email your views to liveableneighbourhoods@bristol.gov.uk.
Keep it simple: State your opposition to prevent EBLN permanence, and explain why (e.g., “Cameras won’t solve the real problems like longer journeys for families, difficulties for family & friends to visit through just one road: Beaconsfield Road, or delayed emergency vehicles elsewhere in EBLN – remove the scheme instead”).
Mention how this ties into bigger EBLN issues, but note that broader traffic changes should go to Consultation 2 below.
Spread the word – get others to email too. Numbers matter here.
This is a 6-week consultation, and your emails will be reviewed before any decision.
📹 Consultation 2: Proposed Changes to Modal Filters (Road Blocks) in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN)
What it’s about: This is a formal, statutory consultation on Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). The Council wants to make changes to the current EBLN trial, like:
Removing a modal filter (bollards or barriers) on Victoria Avenue.
Adjusting bus gates and access on roads like Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane, and Mildred Street to try and fix some traffic problems.
Replacing bollards with camera enforcement on Ducie Road and The Avenue. This would let emergency services, taxis, and people with permits (like Blue Badge holders) through, but fine others.
These tweaks are based on feedback from last year, but don’t be fooled – approving them could lock in EBLN elements permanently, making it harder to remove the whole scheme later.
Who can join: Anyone, including residents, businesses, and stakeholders. You can support or object, but formal objections carry more weight in the decision.
Deadline: Open now until midnight on 27 March 2026. That’s just a few weeks – act fast!
What action to take:
Go to the link: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ask/find-consultation-engagement/consultation-engagement?id=273
Read the details and look at the maps/documents (like the consultation plans and draft orders) to understand the changes.
Submit your feedback online through the form on the page. To oppose, make it a formal objection: Clearly state which part of the proposal you disagree with (e.g., “I object to camera enforcement on Ducie Road because...”) and explain why (e.g., it won’t fix congestion, hurts local access, increases pollution on main roads, or ignores resident needs). Use real examples from your life.
If you support removal of barriers, say so – but tie it to demanding the full end of EBLN.
Share this with neighbours, family, and friends in the area. The more objections, the stronger our case.
This consultation is legally binding, so your objections could directly influence if these changes happen or if EBLN gets weakened enough to fail.
Please ask for assistance in the Stop EBLN Facebook Group if you are unable to complete your opposition yourself.