Couple told to remove 'dangerous' bike parking spot made from plant pots

A couple who used plant pots to build a DIY parking space for their bike are outraged after being ordered to remove it by their local council.

Parents-of-three Anna and Mark Cordle, 38 and 37, wanted somewhere to leave their cargo bike so they created a dedicated space using planters.

They said neighbours raised no objections - but have now received a letter from Bristol City Council ordering them to remove the planters.

The Cordles said it is the only way they can be car-free, but Bristol said "claiming part of the public highway as private property... is against the law".

In a letter delivered last weekend, the council said it received a complaint from a highway user, and believes the planters to be an "obstruction/danger" on the road. It also said the Cordles would be liable for any injuries or accidents sustained as a result of the planters.

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The couple say they now feel penalised for choosing a bike, despite the council saying it wants people to use "active transport" rather than cars.

Anna Cordle, a teacher, said: “Bristol City Council are threatening to rip away safe family cargo bike storage infrastructure so that someone else’s car can use the space instead.

“They are opting to deny us the infrastructure we need for us to stay car-free, making a mockery of Bristol’s climate and active travel plans.

“We live in a terrace, with no front garden to speak of, so the only option for us was to park the bike - our car replacement - where we used to park the car, on the road.

“Our response to the council is that we will be happy to remove [the planters] once the infrastructure is provided for the same purpose."

The letter also said no action would be taken if they remove the planters immediately, but the couple argue they would no longer be able to use their cargo bike if they had nowhere to leave it outside.

They swapped their car for the cargo bike a year ago. The large container on the front of the bike allows them to travel with their three children, who they had previously struggled to transport while cycling.

However, the container is too large to fit through their front door, so they decided to secure it to the planters outside in the spot where they had previously parked their car, saying their neighbours were "very positive" about the idea. A petition set up by the couple to keep the space has been signed by more than 50 people.

The couple added they tried to take an official route but found there was no process to ask the council for permission.

Following the order to remove the planters, Anna Cordle said it is "unreasonable for the council to give credence to what to us are anonymous complaints.

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“Bristol has declared a climate emergency, there are high levels of air pollution and incredible levels of children suffering with breathing difficulties due to air pollution.

“When we have taken measures ourselves to fund and choose a more sustainable travel choice, we are being prohibited rather than facilitated.

“We feel frustrated at what feels like lack of coherence in the direction of travel from the council.

“We would be very happy to work with the council to look at how to provide infrastructure for ourselves and others to be facilitated to make this choice.”

What are the laws on making a parking space for a bike outside my home?

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council told Bristol Live: “Claiming part of the public highway as private property by erecting fixtures in the street is against the law.

''We have a duty to investigate reports of such actions and where appropriate, ask that fixtures are removed and if needed, take enforcement action.

“The council can introduce fixtures to the highway where there is a benefit to the wider community to placing objects such as planters on a street as part of a planned programme of highways improvements.

''To do this we would go through a planning and engagement process to assess the impacts and community view."