Bristol’s low-traffic scheme stalls as row over Ulez spreads from London

The city's livable neighbourhood' initiative is threatened by the shock Uxbridge byelection result blamed on the ultra low emission zone

On Bristol's Church Road, in the east of the city, cars, buses and lorries rumble past African-Caribbean hairstylists, eastern European bakeries, and cafes and restaurants selling a selection of Middle Eastern, Somali and Jamaican cuisine. Women talk on phones tucked into their hijabs, while a halal butcher takes a delivery of freshly cut beef.

Behind the high street bustle, however, tensions are growing about a delayed trial for a livable neighbourhood" - a low-traffic initiative intended to provide an opportunity to work with local communities to co-design residential streets that are better balanced for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists", according to Bristol councillor Don Alexander, who is responsible for transport in the city.