An independent mayoral candidate has pledged to “make Bristol gert again” by opening up the docks to water again and bringing tall ships back to the city centre.
Bedminster pub owner Sean Donnelly’s plan is to uncover the River Frome under The Centre and restore the full extent of St Augustine's Reach, part of Bristol's Floating Harbour.
The harbour would flow beyond the Cascade Steps, replacing the statue-filled paved area opposite the Hippodrome, and the Cenotaph would be moved to a new Cenotaph Square alongside it.
Brunel’s “other bridge”, the Swivel Bridge at Cumberland Basin, would be restored and relocated to cross the new piece of harbour at the point where it currently ends at the Cascade Steps.
Mr Donnelly, who is competing against eight other candidates to become Bristol’s third elected mayor, is promising to “bring in tall ships, have boardwalks with bars and restaurants and maybe even a new central home for the Matthew”.
His vision for Bristol is set out alongside those of other candidates in a booklet being distributed to households in the city ahead of local elections on May 6.
He says the new Cenotaph Square would be a paved park with grassy areas, ponds, fountains and trees: a “quieter area in the heart of the vibrant new city centre”.
Skateboarders, who currently use the paved area around the Cenotaph, could get a new floodlit skateboard park under Mr Donnelly’s plans to revitalise Castle Park with “better” children's play areas, quiet areas and outdoor gyms.
Mr Donnelly is also pledging to rebuild the riverside area by the ruins of the Blitz-bombed St Mary le Port Church, creating a vibrant extension to the Old City and link to Castle Park and Broadmead.
“We could soon be walking up the narrow cobbles of Bridge Street, visiting The Raven Hotel for a pint in Mary le Port Street and even a visit to the rebuilt Dutch House on the corner of High Street and Wine Street,” he writes.
Mr Donnelly is also promising to “sort out” the city’s transport issues, build more and better housing, and to ensure there is a “concert arena/exhibition centre in Bristol”.
