Residents and shopkeepers turned out in force to vent their anger and frustration at council leaders over the “destruction” of Thornbury High Street. Campaigners said some businesses had lost up to 30 per cent of trade because of the controversial changes to the road access as they once more called on South Gloucestershire Council to reconsider ploughing ahead with the scheme.
John Riddiford, who owns L E Riddiford grocery shop, told a full council meeting on Wednesday evening (May 18) that many former customers had been put off from making the trip to his high street store because they could not park near enough. He said: “People struggle to get to our shop now. People just don’t come shopping to Thornbury from outside now because it’s more hassle than it’s worth to try to get through all the traffic.”
He said the pollution and noise that the new one-way system had created meant older residents in nearby sheltered accommodation could no longer open their windows. Mr Riddiford said: “At least twice a day there is one great big traffic jam all the way through the town, certainly on the school run and at other times – just one snaking, slow convoy of traffic right the way through the town.”
