Disabled People Worry About Loss Of Access To Bristol Hippodrome

Disabled people are concerned changes to the city centre will restrict their access to the Bristol Hippodrome

Key changes potentially coming to central Bristol, may impact upon the ability of Disabled people to access one of the city’s major theatres.

Bristol City Council has launched a consultation this week, which looks at several proposals to make the city ‘easier to get around.’

One such proposal could see major changes to Denmark Street in Bristol City Centre.

But Disabled Bristolians are already questioning how any closures or changes will impact upon their visit to the Bristol Hippodrome.

The access entrance for Disabled theatre-goers is on Denmark Street. This allows Disabled people a more equitable access to the theatre building. For those with restricted mobility or for those who are wheelchair users, the entrance takes visitors directly into the Stalls auditorium on ground level.

Wheelchair users may also access the Disabled viewing platform or the access lift to bypass any steps.

Denmark Street itself has on-street paid parking for people needing to park nearby. This also benefits Blue Badge holders who are unable to walk distances. The street is also used by taxis, cars and minibuses to drop off Disabled people directly outside of the access entrance.

The council’s consultation diagram does not clearly show how any potential drivers with Disabled passengers are able to drive towards the access entrance without causing jams upon their exit.

From the council’s own diagram, the access entrance is in part of the road that could see full or partial closure.

In Bristol City Council’s online consultation, people are being asked their opinions on the closing of Denmark Street to motor traffic.

There are several options given. One is the part time closure of Denmark Street. This would be Thursday to Sunday evenings between 7pm and 6am the following morning.

A further option is to close a longer part of Denmark Street full time.

A third option proposed is the closure of a shorter part of Denmark Street part time – again on the Thursday to Sunday evenings.

A fourth option is to close a shorter part of Denmark Street full time.

There is also a final option to select no road closure at all.

The council says in its consultation: ‘The proposals would improve road safety and make the area more accessible for the large numbers of people visiting entertainment venues in the area. This would help to support Bristol’s nighttime economy.’

The consultation does not mention any Disability related information, nor even address potential issues until it reaches the diversity monitoring questions at the end. This is unlikely to draw the attention of accessibility issues to people who may not initially consider the impact.

In the same section that Bristol City Council is collecting diversity data it states that it uses the ‘Social Model of Disability’. This means ‘… people are Disabled by barriers in society such as lack of physical access…’

For the announcement of the consultation, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee Councillor Ed Plowden said: “This area of the city is a key part of Bristol’s cultural offering. We are aiming to make it safer and more welcoming for everyone, whether you are heading to a show or concert, grabbing a bite to eat, or just passing through.

“Please do get involved in this consultation, as your views will help us to shape this important area and support Bristol’s night-time economy.”

Funding for the project is expected from the UK Government as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement through the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin said: “Bristol city centre is home to some the West’s biggest attractions, so people across our region should have their say on potential investment in improved public spaces there and making it easier to get around. Working with local businesses, residents, and the council, together we can make a real difference that people can see and feel in our part of the world.

“Getting the basics right now by improving our walking and cycling infrastructure, and fixing our roads and bridges, can lay the foundations for a better transport system overall. We secured £752 million for that next stage in June’s Spending Review. That means that the West can get out of the slow lane on transport and start to catch up with other city-regions. That’s about active travel, as well as better buses, more trains, and mass transit.”

Neither spokesperson mentioned issues that are likely to impact Disabled people, nor mentioned any Disabled Persons Organisations they had worked with when working on the consultation.

A Disabled person contacted us with their concerns about the consultation and how changes could impact upon their ability to visit the theatre.

They told us: “It feels like whenever these kind of schemes are announced, yet again no one gives a thought about how it will affect Disabled people. It’s so exhausting always having to be on top of issues.

“It is just a fact that some people cannot walk, ride bikes or scoot. They can only access things by car. It feels like we never matter. We are either an after thought or considered such a minority that we are not important enough to bother with.”

Bristol City Council has come under fire in the past when it was accused of making up ‘The Barton Hill Disabilities Group’ as part of its work on the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood in Barton Hill.

The consultation to make ‘Denmark Street and nearby streets more welcoming’ closes on 09 October 2025. After this, the responses will shape the proposals which will go to the council’s Transport and Connectivity Committee.

If the scheme goes ahead, the council anticipates the project will be completed by the end of 2027.

For more information, visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/Denmark-Street-2025

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