The Barton Bugle

17/08/2025

- ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS -

A notice of tree felling has this week been pinned to one of the London Plane trees that is located on the footpath that runs between Eccleston House and the site of the former Barton Hill Tenants Association Club hall.

The reason for tree felling is cited as “Standing Dead”.

It is also cited that the location is suitable for a replacement tree to be planted, subject to funding.

14/08/2025

[Resident post]

As I am sure Barton Hill residents have taken notice of lately, it appears by the day that Marsh Lane is becoming more of a grubby scene due to increased flytipping and littering. More so around the junction with Avonvale Road and the junction with Granville Street.

Reports that have been logged on Fix My Street are all being responded to in the same manner by Bristol Waste, that the flytips on Marsh Lane are in an “inaccessible area”, even though the flytips are all on the pavement.

I sent an enquiry email to Bristol Waste regarding this “inaccessible area” response and below is the email that was received today in reply.

As I feared was the case, the bus gates that have been implemented on Marsh Lane and Avonvale Road are posing a challenge for Bristol Waste in being able to reach Marsh Lane to clear of the flytips and respond to other street issues.

Surely such a serious public health and street cleansing issue as this should have been taken into consideration by Bristol City Council before the bus gates were installed? But evidently as the response from Max Davies shows today, no consideration was given, which is very concerning.

I sincerely hope for a swift resolution to be made soon.

14/08/2025

- POLICE AND LOCAL INCIDENTS -

As residents of Barton Hill would have spotted last night, two police helicopters were circling the area just after 10:00pm.

Reports from neighbours have stated that these helicopters were up in relation to an individual having gotten onto the railway line that loops past the Rhubarb Tavern.

There are conflicting reports that an individual jumped from the Barrow Road Bridge aka Dr. Days Bridge onto the line, or that an individual trespassed onto the line in relation to recent thefts that have been reported at the Network Rail Queen Ann Road Depot.

Avon and Somerset Police officers with Network Rail workers were scouting along the railway line yesterday evening as a result, with the teams being spotted on Queen Ann Road by neighbours.

Checking live incident reports via the Network Rail tracker, there were no disruptions to services to and from Bristol Temple Meads, or to other train services.

We will continue to make enquiries, but if any residents have photos or further information on yesterday evening’s incident, please drop them in the comments below.

13/08/2025

After meeting with campaigners last week, I’ve written to the owner of the Rhubarb Tavern to urge for action to protect this much-loved community asset from further damage and neglect.

I have also asked for clarity on when works will be beginning on the site. The owner recently sought planning permission for the construction of flats in the rear garden, but was told it was conditional on the pub being refurbished first - and there’s no sign of that happening.

Pubs and music venues are essential community spaces and contribute to our city’s renowned cultural offering: it would be great to see the Rhubarb brought back into use, and the owner need to tell the community what their plans are to do so.

13/08/2025

BREAKING NEWS

Video and photos that have been shared onto Facebook this morning shows there is a severe house fire at a property on Cabot Green, just off of Ducie Road.

It is believed the elderly resident of the property has been evacuated from the premises safely.

Avon Fire & Rescue crews are on the scene.

According to one resident, the fire brigade’s response was slowed this morning due to the parklet that has been installed on the Ducie Road Triangle as part of the EBLN.

07/08/2025

TRANSPORT NEWS

In news that will surely be welcomed by disability campaigners, Network Rail have this week submitted a planning application to Bristol City Council’s Planning Department, seeking permission to install a lift on Platform 2 at Lawrence Hill Train Station.

This platform has been a burden for many disabled individuals for years due to access on and off the platform up onto Lawrence Hill being available only via a staircase.

There will however be no lift installed on Platform 1 with access to that platform still being cited as being available via the car park of the neighbouring Lidl.

05/08/2025

31/07/2025

- BUSINESS & PROPERTY NEWS -

Number 3 Marsh Lane, of which contains the Alibaba’s Grill House, has recently come onto the market for sale on online auction through Hollis Morgan estate agents.

The property listing is described as…

“A Freehold mid terraced period property arranged as a mixed use block ( 1759 Sq Ft ) comprising a ground floor retail unit let as a takeaway with ancillary space and yard to the rear. There is independent access to the first floor which comprises 2 self contained one bedroom flats both let on AST contracts.
Sold subject to the existing tenancies.”

Conversations had with employees of Alibaba’s have shared that since the implementation of the bus gates on Marsh Lane and Avonvale Road, passing trade to the business has dropped significantly.

This is the same story for all the neighbouring businesses on Marsh Lane and Avonvale Road.

For anyone who follows Hamblins Fish and Chips shop on Facebook, you would have seen their posts sharing of the struggles they have had with the EBLN scheme, even discussing the matter with MP Kerry McCarthy on a walk around of the neighbourhood this week.

The auction listing can be found here:

2 bed property for sale in Marsh Lane, Redfield, Bristol BS5, selling for £280,000 from Hollis Morgan - Land, Commercial & Investment. See property details on Zoopla or browse all our range of properties in Marsh Lane, Redfield, Bristol BS5.

24/07/2025

This is a meeting for any residents who live near Gaunts Ham Park, who are concerned about anti- social behaviour in the park and interested in ways to reclaim it and make it more welcoming.

17/07/2025

The Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Forum is excited to invite you to our 3rd monthly meeting.

Its a FREE event taking place Wednesday 6th of August St Anne's Board Mills Social club, Avonvale Rd, Redfield, BS5 9RN.

Feel free to spread the word, share flyer or FB link.

All welcome!