Bristol Councillors Back Measures for Safer Night-Time Worker Transport

Members of the council have supported an initiative aimed at improving transport safety for individuals employed in Bristol’s night-time economy. This proposal stemmed from a campaign initiated by Unite the Union, following a sexual assault incident in 2021 involving a woman returning home after a late work shift. The category of night-time economy workers encompasses staff in various sectors such as hospitals, bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels, and retail distribution centres located in Avonmouth. During a full Bristol City Council meeting, a motion received approval with cross-party support, passing by a vote of 51-6. Conservative group members indicated they were “reluctantly” voting against it. Data from the Local Democracy Reporting Service indicates that 116,000 working-age adults in the city, representing 41% of this demographic, are employed during the hours of 22:00 and 06:00 at some point. Approximately half of these workers are female; among them, 57% report feeling unsafe when utilizing public transport, and 84% perceive a risk while waiting for a bus after nightfall. The approved motion mandates the local authority to direct its licensing committee to incorporate supplementary regulations when evaluating applications for late-opening hours from licensed establishments. This aims to encourage these venues to offer complimentary transport home for their night-shift employees. Furthermore, the council plans to advocate for enhancements to night-time transportation services, resist reductions in subsidised bus routes, and petition the government to elevate minimum standards for taxi services. Labour councillor Kaz Self, who introduced the motion, highlighted the scarcity of bus services available for individuals commencing or concluding their work shifts after 22:00. She stated, “Fewer than 10 night bus services operate between 1am and 4am, and they tend to be hourly.” Labour councillor Sue Kollar commented: “Travelling safely home should be a guaranteed option, not a game of chance.” Councillor Ed Plowden, chairman of the transport policy committee and a representative of the Green Party, remarked: “There are no simple solutions and we need to look at the options to encourage employers to take a wider view, but we will be supporting this motion.” Conservative councillor Richard Eddy stated: “My group supports 98% of the words in this motion and the action points but we disagree with 2%, and that is key for us.” He explained that the phrasing required adjustment to avoid potential conflicts with stringent regulations concerning modifications to licensing policies and guidance without prior consultation. Mr. Eddy further indicated that the Conservative group also objected to the proposal of placing buses under public control. He concluded: “We will be reluctantly voting against this motion.”