The Cumberland Basin Stakeholder Group was set up in spring 2018 in response to development plans for Hotwells. A public meeting was held on April 9th, here are the details of the presentation from the council https://www.hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk/council_plans_for_consultation
The response in the meeting included concerns that any new development included proper social housing and social infrastructure, community cohesion, environmental & flood risk concern, objections to high rise development, respect for local history, respect for the local community in terms of the disruption caused by development.
Some of the group met with the Mayor's Office on 21/06/18. here is a letter of response form the Mayor. To share your views with us, email [email protected]
Marvin Rees 0117 922 2420 [email protected] 28 June 2018
To the Cumberland Basin Stakeholder Group (CBSG),
I am writing to open lines of communication between your group and myself regarding our ambitious plans for the redevelopment of Cumberland Basin. I understand that you feel we have not been clear enough about what stage of the process we are at. I believe that, following the meeting between yourselves and my policy team last week, a positive relationship has now been created - and I wish to build on this moving forward.
As I have stated publicly, we plan to replace the old road network across the Western end of the harbour and develop the available land on both sides of the Avon - bringing more affordable housing to the city centre and extending the harbour as a residential area to the west. We have commissioned a report to look at the how we can best design the road network in the area to improve people flow and release land for much needed homes.
Our approach will be primarily aiming to improve the local transport infrastructure, with the view that these improvements will improve the economy in your area and the City more broadly. During the meeting between yourselves and my team on 21/06/18 it was explained that improvements urgently need to take place. There are particular problems with the waterproofing membranes under Brunel Way, Cabot Way and Humphrey Davy Way, and the infrastructure system in the Cumberland Basin area is generally regarded as performing below standard. The current structure was built in the 1960s, and necessary repairs are now estimated to be in the order of £60m. Perhaps most importantly, we need to protect the area from an increased risk of flood damage. Rather than delivering a quick fix that might last 10-15 years, we want to build for the future – making Hotwells and the areas beyond accessible, prosperous and inclusive for decades to come.
There were two specific questions that your group asked my policy team in the meeting. The first was over why plans for a tunnel were rejected. Early estimates suggesting that this could cost perhaps £2bn, which we regard as unaffordable at this time. The second was over the location of the new bridge. At this stage, we have commissioned ARUP to produce a report in the late Autumn that will examine in more detail the feasibility of various highway improvements, including the potential location of the bridge. I am aware of frustration within the community over the length of time the process is taking, but it is crucial that we collect the evidence and considers the options - in order that the redevelopment delivers in line with my priorities for Bristol. I thank you for your patience during this time.
We welcome your input in this process. Only by close collaboration between the City Council, my office and local residents can we create a redevelopment that is right for Bristol. I invite you to continue conversations with my office who I have asked to keep you updated.
Yours sincerely
Marvin Rees Mayor of Bristol
To download the original letter please use this link: