A new low traffic neighbourhood scheme in Bristol will create a quieter, safer and healthier place for people to live and spend time, according to council leaders.

It could become permanent by 2025 as part of the £6m East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood project.

It will include 'pocket parks' and 'modal filters' such as bollards or planters which will block traffic along two miles of key roads in the east of the city.

The scheme aims to help tackle air pollution by encouraging people to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of driving.

It follows controversial schemes launched by councils in several London, Birmingham and Oxford which have sometimes faced fierce opposition from residents.

Bristol City Council says residents were consulted over its plans, but some have expressed concern over traffic being forced onto surrounding roads, delays caused to emergency services and an insufficient public transport network.

Don Alexander, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: ‘Proposed measures have been designed in partnership with the community, using feedback from the neighbourhoods to map out and suggest changes that will help make this area a quieter, safer and healthier place to live and spend time.

‘They aim to stop people using residential streets to cut through the area, moving traffic back onto the main roads that are designed to handle greater volumes of vehicle traffic.

‘The proposed measures in the trial scheme will not mean residents can no longer use their cars, but with fewer cars travelling through the pilot area, it should create a safer and more pleasant environment where people want to spend time as a community.’