Anger on Bristol's streets over Residents Parking Scheme

Angry opposition to Bristol's controversial Residents Parking Scheme is growing, with campaigners blocking streets and vandals attacking equipment.

The man charged with implementing the city-wide restrictions has told ITV News the damage will add tens of thousands of pounds to the final £5 million bill.

Eight of 20 parking machines introduced in Montpelier have been damaged with expanding foam pumped inside. Each of the £3,000 machines will have to be scrapped and replaced.

Signs have also been damaged or stolen.

In an example of peaceful, but angry, street protests, residents in East Grove, Montpelier, have barricaded themselves in with fencing, vehicles and even a shopping trolley, preventing workmen from installing signs and painting white lines.

It follows a series of angry demonstrations against the scheme across the city. In Clifton, campaigners drove a tank through the streets in protest, while some Easton residents have also campaigned to stop their RPZ (Residents Parking Zone).

But Peter Mann, Director of Transport at Bristol City Council, says the city-wide roll-out will be completed by the end of the summer as planned, taking in some 20 districts.

He admits: