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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Ross Millen

People living in Kingswood can't seem to decide if they live in Bristol or not

Kingswood has been the centre of a debate for many years and will likely remain there for many more to come.

The people who live in the town east of the city can't seem to agree on whether it is part of South Gloucestershire or Bristol.

While it can't be denied that when it comes to council boundaries the former royal hunting estate and mining town is part of South Gloucestershire, there was a time when the area was a separate borough within the ill-fated Avon County Council.

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Technically it is split between two councils, but not everyone agrees with the majority reign.

However, this hasn't stopped the raging debate over the years as some locals are adamant the town lies in Bristol.

Located just five miles or so eastwards from the city centre of Bristol, it's very hard to spot the change from Bristol to South Gloucestershire.

The A420 follows through from one suburb to another and despite a sign indicating the arrival inside South Gloucestershire's borders, many believe it is still within the Bristol border.

Let us know whether you think Kingswood is in Bristol or South Gloucestershire by answering our survey below.

The confusion is amplified because people living within Kingswood have Bristol postcodes but technically live outside the city's border.

As a result, many people write Bristol as part of their address line, instead of South Gloucestershire.

Kingswood is home to more than 40,000 residents and boasts the Kings Chase Shopping Centre, a number of schools, a nightclub - although Chasers is closed for the foreseeable future - and much more.

Kingswood: A History

A forest and royal hunting estate in Saxon and Norman times - hence the name - Kingswood developed from the late 17th century as a coal-mining area, blossoming during Victorian times. Manufacturing industries including boot and shoe-making and motorcycles followed.

Before 1974, Kingswood was an urban district within Gloucestershire but, after local government reorganisation which saw the birth of Avon County Council, Kingswood was merged with Mangotsfield and Warmley to create a borough.

The boundary changes also saw part of Gloucestershire become Northavon.

After Avon was scrapped in 1996, Kingswood and Northavon were not returned to Gloucestershire but were combined to form a new unitary authority, South Gloucestershire.

Do you consider Kingswood to be part of Bristol, South Gloucestershire or entirely separate? Email me at ross.millen@reachplc.com to share your thoughts.

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