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Reporter/Producer BBC Bristol @bbcrb @bbcpointswest @BBCPoliticsWest @BBCBristol pete.simson@bbc.co.uk
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Articles by Pete Simson
Campaign to ditch town's 'erroneous' hyphens
A town which has had its name spelt wrong for more than a century is finally getting a correction thanks to Google agreeing to remove "erroneous" hyphens. Dubbed the "great dash debate", people in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, say inaccurate dashes started to appear after Great Western Railway (GWR) added the punctuation to the Wiltshire town's railway sign in 1899.
Campaign to ditch town's 'erroneous' hyphens
A town which has had its name spelt wrong for more than a century is finally getting a correction thanks to Google agreeing to remove "erroneous" hyphens. Dubbed the "great dash debate", people in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, say inaccurate dashes started to appear after Great Western Railway (GWR) added the punctuation to the Wiltshire town's railway sign in 1899.
Will summer discounts make family days out cheaper?
For visitor attractions like Puxton Park near Weston, the summer holidays are the busiest weeks of the year Families could save money on days out, meals and entertainment this summer under a government discount scheme, but attractions in the West have questioned its impact. The temporary 15% VAT reduction applies to family attraction tickets, children's meals and cinema tickets until September.
MP visits school in secret due to Gaza protest plan
Damien Egan has represented Bristol North East since 2024 [Reuters] A Jewish MP has visited a school in secret after an earlier trip was postponed due to a planned protest against his stance on Gaza. Damien Egan was set to visit Bristol Brunel Academy in September but the school became aware that local pro-Palestine campaigners were preparing to hold a demonstration.
Christmas funding crises for West councils
Councils across the West have already suffered serious shortfalls in their budget [PA Media] Most of us think of Christmas as being about mince pies, mulled wine and Santa. But there is one tradition that befalls our local councils does not involve anything remotely festive. They have to work out how their financial settlements from the government will effect their overall budgets next year.
Christmas funding crises for West councils
Councils across the West have already suffered serious shortfalls in their budget [PA Media] Most of us think of Christmas as being about mince pies, mulled wine and Santa. But there is one tradition that befalls our local councils does not involve anything remotely festive. They have to work out how their financial settlements from the government will effect their overall budgets next year.
Man appears in court after woman dragged off street
A man has appeared in court charged with kidnap after a woman was dragged off a street in Bristol. Mitchell Lee Rogers, 35, who appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday, has also been charged with assault, making threats to kill, and committing a criminal offence with intent to commit a sexual offence. The charges relates to an attack on a woman in Passage Road, Henbury, at about 07:00 BST on Friday. She had been walking to work at the time and was able to escape, police said.
Airport's new £60m transport hub officially opens
A new £60m transport interchange has been officially opened at Bristol Airport. The facility, one of the largest of its kind in the region, can hold an extra 2,000 parking spaces, as well as significantly expanding the number of bus and coach spaces. It will also home the airport's new "drop and go" zone and offer better pedestrian links to the terminal.
Council saves libraries from closure amid cuts
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Council saves libraries from closure amid cuts
Pete Simson - BBC News, Bristol and Clara Bullock - BBC News, Somerset Sat, January 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM UTC 1 min read Libraries will continue to receive the same funding this year, the council decided [BBC] Plans to slash funding for museums, libraries and lollipop patrols appear have been dropped by Bristol City Council, a senior council member says. The authority had published a raft of cost-cutting measures as it looked to claw back a deficit of more than £350m.
Mayor responds to WECA 'toxic culture' allegations
The Mayor of the West of England has defended his record after criticism of his leadership this week. Several sources have told the BBC there is a "toxic culture of fear" at the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) after an exodus of senior staff from the organisation, which is led by Labour Regional Mayor Dan Norris. “I came into a dysfunctional organisation, it was happening before I arrived,” Mr Norris told BBC Politics West.
Birthday Bus Pass to be extended despite criticism
Pete Simson - BBC Bristol Political Reporter October 25, 2024 at 5:10 AM·2 min read A transport giveaway that gives anyone in Bristol and the surrounding area a free bus pass for the month their birthday falls in is to be extended.
Historic harbour development consultation begins
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Cemetery expansion plans approved by council
Councillors have approved plans to expand a city crematorium, leaving campaigners with "mixed feelings". Due to Bristol's growing population, demand for burial plots is increasing but the expansion of South Bristol Cemetery and Crematorium has been strongly opposed by supporters of Yew Tree Farm, which is next to the site. The approved plan, which includes an amendment from Green councillors, will allow an expansion without encroaching on Yew Tree Farm.
Anger over decision to pull out of housing plans
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Bus gate campaigner successfully appeals three fines
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Bus gate campaigner successfully appeals three fines
Pete Simson - BBC Radio Bristol and Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley - BBC News, Bristol September 6, 2024 at 2:56 AM·2 min read A man campaigning against a bus gate scheme, which has issued 50,000 fines since it began operating, has successfully appealed three fines. Latest figures from the bus gate on Cumberland Road, show it has raised £1.6m for Bristol City Council - which has defended the scheme, despite fierce criticism.
Fountains to be filled in as part of renovation
Fountains, which form the centrepiece of a city centre, are to be filled in with concrete after they were deemed "broken and beyond repair". The £400,000 renovation project is being funded by Bristol City Council as part of a scheme to improve the area for pedestrians and market traders. The section between the existing Neptune statue and the Cascade Steps will be levelled out.
Cemetery expansion 'reasonable' - says report
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Cemetery expansion 'reasonable' - says report
August 30, 2024 at 9:23 AM The expansion of South Bristol Cemetery and Crematorium had been put on hold while the internal investigation was carried out [BBC] Decisions surrounding the controversial expansion of South Bristol Cemetery and Crematorium were "compliant" and "reasonable", a city council report has found. The report was ordered by the new leader of the council, Green Party councillor Tony Dyer, who said it had "laid the path" to reaching a conclusion on the matter.
North Somerset chief warns against mandatory housing targets
The leader of North Somerset Council has said he cannot 'wish away' geographical constraints on the territory Plans to introduce mandatory housing targets for local councils have been greeted with scepticism by the North Somerset leader. Councillor Mike Bell, a Liberal Democrat, said he could not simply “make the geographical constraints on his area disappear”.
Warning against new housing targets - council leader
Pete Simson - BBC Bristol Political Reporter July 18, 2024 at 7:15 AM·2 min read Plans to introduce compulsory housing targets to local councils have been met with scepticism by the leader of North Somerset. Councillor Mike Bell, a Liberal Democrat, said he could not simply "wish away" geographical constraints on the land in his region. It is after the new Labour Government announced the return of targets last week, as well as plans to reclassify parts of the green belt as "grey belt" land.
Candidates, issues and information
Bristol Central: What you need to know about new city seat By Pete Simson, Political reporter, BBC Bristol BBC The annual Bristol Pride event takes place on the Downs, part of the constituency of Bristol Central With election campaigning now in full swing, we've been taking a closer look at some of the key battlegrounds in the region. The city of Bristol has two new constituencies, including the fascinating seat of Bristol Central.
Filton & Bradley Stoke: Why this is one to watch Original
Filton & Bradley Stoke: Why this is one to watch By Pete Simson, Political reporter, BBC Bristol BBC Filton & Bradley Stoke is going to be a key election seat As the general election inches ever closer, we're taking a look at some of the key battlegrounds here in the West. Filton and Bradley Stoke was created as a constituency in 2010 and has been won by one party only, The Conservatives, and one man, Jack Lopresti.
Bristol's Cumberland Road bus gate 'unlawful', man claims
Controversial bus gate 'unlawful', man claims Pete Simson,BBC Bristol Political Reporter Matt Sanders Matt Sanders said the bus gate warning signs are poorly designed and "ensnare" motorists A man who has written a 150 page report into a controversial bus gate has said the traffic measure is "unlawful" and "defective".
Labour Mayor selected to fight Rees-Mogg seat
West of England Mayor Dan Norris has been selected by the Labour Party as their candidate for North-East Somerset and Hanham in the upcoming general election. It's 14 years since Mr Norris lost his seat in North East Somerset, to current Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg. It is the second time the pair will battle for the constituency, which now includes Hanham in south Gloucestershire following boundary changes.
'Disillusioned' first-time voters want 'things to be nicer'
Image caption, From left to right: Jack Champ, Peter Nicks, Josh Cherian, Ariane Wood, Oluwademilade Oluwole, Nikola Jagielska and Sara Egrtova Political reporter, BBC Bristol Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Bristol students who will be voting for the first time as adults in the upcoming local elections have been sharing their views as polling day approaches. Bristol is holding "all-out" elections on May 2nd, meaning all 70 councillor seats across Bristol are up for election.
'Atrocious' bus gate fines top £500k since January
An "atrocious" bus gate scheme in Bristol has generated more than £500,000 in fines since January, it has emerged. The bus gate on Cumberland Road allows only buses, taxis and bicycles to pass through it without incurring a fixed penalty notice. Since January, more than 20,000 fines have been issued according to figures from a Freedom of Information request. According to the city council, the bus gate was installed to improve air quality and give priority to public transport.
'Atrocious' bus gate fines top £500k since January
An "atrocious" bus gate scheme in Bristol has generated more than £500,000 in fines since January, it has emerged. The bus gate on Cumberland Road allows only buses, taxis and bicycles to pass through it without incurring a fixed penalty notice. Since January, more than 20,000 fines have been issued according to figures from a Freedom of Information request. According to the city council, the bus gate was installed to improve air quality and give priority to public transport.
Severn Estuary tidal power plans must be 'nature positive' says RSPB
New plans to harness energy from the Severn Estuary must be "nature positive", the RSPB has warned. The message comes after a commission was launched - backed by the UK and Welsh governments. The Severn Estuary Commission will spend a year studying how a new energy scheme could convert the estuary's huge tidal range into power. But a bird expert who has been studying the area for 50 years said the "unique habitat" needed to be protected.
Bristol van dweller numbers have quadrupled says report
The number of van dwellers in Bristol has quadrupled since 2020, according to new figures. Councillor Steve Smith said residents near the Downs in Clifton want to see "tougher enforcement action". But Deputy Mayor Asher Craig said other locals wanted to "find a happy medium because [they] respect the fact these people have nowhere else to live".
Rising costs 'put people off' apprenticeships claim Original
Image source, Dawid Giermak, City of Bristol College Image caption, Julia Gray, City of Bristol College principal, said rising living costs are putting people off applying for apprenticeships By Pete Simson & Rachel Candlin People are being put off applying for apprenticeships due to wage levels and rising living costs, according to a college principal. Government figures show that the number of people starting an apprenticeship has dropped over the past decade.
Bristol City Council approves 5% council tax rise from April Original
Bristol City Council has approved a budget that will see council tax rise by 5% from April. Labour Mayor Marvin Rees struck a deal with the city's Conservative group, which saw the proposals approved by 33 votes to 18. The largest party on the council, the Greens, voted against the plan, describing it as an "austerity budget". The budget, approved at City Hall earlier, includes another £24m pounds worth of cuts and savings.
Labour takes victory in Kingswood by-election
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Kingswood by-election: Labour overturns Tory majority
Labour has overturned a large Conservative majority to win the Kingswood by-election. Damien Egan won the seat which previously had a Tory majority of more than 11,000, with a swing of 16.4% During his victory speech in Bristol, he pledged to give the constituency its "future back", saying the town feels "neglected" after 14 years of a Conservative government. Mr Egan won the by-election with 11,176 votes.
Bristol traders' outcry as council demands slice of income Original
Traders in Bristol have described plans by the city council to take up to 15% of their turnover as "outrageous". The authority is running a re-tendering process for mobile traders, with a stipulation that they take a percentage of the businesses income. Amir Sufiani, who runs Afista Sufiani in Victoria Park said: "It's unfair, they could just increase our rent." Bristol City Council was contacted for comment but has yet to respond.
Bristol Clean Air Zone raises £26m in one year
Bristol's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) raised £26m in its first year of operation, according to council figures. The CAZ was launched on 28 November 2022 and charges drivers of the most polluting vehicles to enter the city centre. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels dropped by an average of 12% inside the CAZ and by around 7% elsewhere in the city, a council report said. Bristol's mayor said money raised could be spent on improving transport.
Kingswood by-election: Voters will choose new MP after Chris Skidmore's resignation
Following the resignation of ex-Conservative MP Chris Skidmore, voters in Kingswood will elect a new representative in February. The former minister stood down from his position earlier this month over the government's energy plans. Mr Skidmore said he could not continue as a Tory MP ahead of a vote on a bill to guarantee annual oil and gas licensing rounds - triggering a by-election to be held in February. So why is this happening and what does it mean?
Bristol: Call for empty buildings to be turned into homes
There are calls in Bristol for empty buildings to be renovated to create more social housing. The Green Party has put forward a motion to the council asking the Mayor to set up a task force to help tackle the housing shortage. The plans would see unviable office, retail or commercial sites being repurposed for homes. Councillor Tony Dyer, who proposed the motion, admitted the idea needed the input of developers to succeed.
Council acting like 'Dick Turpin' over CAZ fines
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Driver overturns 12 Bristol Clear Air Zone fines
A driver who successfully overturned 12 Clean Air Zone (CAZ) fines in Bristol claims the system is unlawful. John Lyon, from Saltford, said there were various faults with the language and documentation of the fixed penalty notices (PCNs), as well as the signage used to warn motorists. He said Bristol City Council should refund all the fines it has handed out. Mayor Marvin Rees said the dispute "centres on the wording of the documents and not the scheme itself".
Small Bristol businesses report some customers cannot pay
Small businesses say some customers are unable to afford items and services as the cost of living crisis remains, despite a fall in inflation. The latest figures show the rate at which prices are rising had dropped to 4.6% in the year to October. The Prime Minister has now said the government will target cutting taxes. But Bristol based barber Kawa Hamed said he is still having to resist putting his prices up so he does not lose customers.
Edward Colston statue to return to M Shed Museum in 2024 Original
The Statue of transatlantic slave trader Edward Colston will go back on display at a museum next year. In his blog, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees says it will be included in a new M Shed Museum exhibition on protest. It was pulled down during a protest in 2020 and put on temporary display, but has been out of public view since January 2022. Mr Rees said the decision was made after 14,000 people responded to a city-wide consultation.
Work starts on tunnel for new £23m Bristol Temple Meads entrance
Building a tunnel for a new £23m entrance to a railway station has "been a challenge", but the project is progressing well, organisers say. Initial work on the site of Bristol Temple Meads' new eastern entrance started in 2021, and is expected to be finished by 2024. The project is part of the Temple Quarter regeneration programme. Bristol's metro mayor said the entrance would bring money into the city, but added "we've got to get it right".
Bristol farmer 'devastated' after hedgerow pulled out
Image caption, Catherine Withers farms land next to the field By Emma Elgee and Pete Simson A farmer says she is "devastated" after contractors installed a gate into a neighbouring field by cutting through "ancient" Yew tree hedgerow. Catherine Withers, owner of Yew Tree Farm in Bristol, has been in dispute with landowners Longmoor Land Limited (LLL) about the field next to her farm. LLL said it had removed 12ft (3.7m) of hedgerow, but would be planting 250ft more.
Bristol farmer 'devastated' after hedgerow pulled out
A farmer says she is "devastated" after contractors installed a gate into a neighbouring field by cutting through "ancient" Yew tree hedgerow. Catherine Withers, owner of Yew Tree Farm in Bristol, has been in dispute with landowners Longmoor Land Limited (LLL) about the field next to her farm. LLL said it had removed 12ft (3.7m) of hedgerow, but would be planting 250ft more. The council said there was "no evidence" of any planning breaches.
Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter future in doubt over legal row Original
Image source, Ashton Gate Image caption, The new sporting quarter will sit next to Ashton Gate Stadium By Nathan Heath & Pete Simson A sporting development is in doubt due to a legal row between a waste company and council planners. Work on Bristol Sport's Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter - a basketball arena, hotel and car park - was due to start in the summer.
Bristol metro project in doubt after political row
The future of Bristol's mass transit plan has been thrown into doubt, after political leaders failed to agree on how to progress. At a meeting of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), metro mayor Dan Norris vetoed plans to spend £650,000 to explore route options. He took the decision because they included underground sections. "I won't waste a penny more of taxpayers' money on an underground," he said.
Bristol mass transport network is needed, says leaked draft report Original
A regional mayor has rejected plans for an underground despite a leaked report suggesting that it could be delivered. Leaked to Bristol Live, the report by the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) recommended the scheme go forward and said it was achievable. However, Weca Mayor Dan Norris reiterated to the BBC that the city would never get an underground.
Bristol M32 bridge repairs will be 'challenging' - National Highways Original
Image caption, The bridge needs extensive repairs that are not expected to take place until 2026 By Rachel Candlin & Pete Simson A major £22m programme of repairs to a motorway bridge will be "a real challenge", according to National Highways. The Eastville Viaduct, which carries traffic over junction two of the M32 in Bristol, has serious defects, it said. The agency said working conditions close to people's houses are going to be "difficult" due to limited space.
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