New Trains Layer

Yesterday, bristolstreets got a new rail layer.  As with buses, we've moved from long term schedule data to live departure information.  But as ever, bristrolstreets is trying to allow people to comprehend the rail network in the area as much as provide immediate travel information.

It is common to find people who know where some of the suburban stations are located but have no idea where these trains actually go.  The new layer shows all the stations on the map and the lines that connect them.  Also the sidebar contains a number of theoretical "routes" that list the stops along journeys to various destinations.  This will hopefully allow someone who wants to go to somewhere like Bath to understand which stations would be best to start their journey from.

The rail layer also tries to raise awareness of the untapped potential of the rail network, both in terms of the current resource that people may not realise is quite close to them, but also in terms of the disused stations that could provide significantly more rail coverage in the Bristol area.

The site shows these disused or proposed stations with a different coloured marker.  There is also an option to turn on "Walking Distances" which shows 12 and 20 minute walk time radii from each station which illustrates which areas are within easy walking distance of a station.

There is a trains information page on this site which explains a bit more about the rail network, how much faster they are than buses and other useful information.

Anyone who likes the idea of using and improving the rail network should support FOSBR (Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways) who have campaigned this for so many years.  Their efforts have already lead to more services running on the Severn Beach line and help shape policy and planning at the council and the West of England partnership.

Overdue Update

Bristolstreets went through a lot of changes at the beginning of April. There is still a lot to come but this is not happening as quickly as planned.

Interface Changes

One of the first things people will notice is the change to the interface.  We are always striving to make things as simple as possible.  Our motto is "less IS more".  The menu bar across the top is gone and we have simplified and combined controls.

The new map control in the top right corner (we call it the cartouche) lets you control the zooming on the map in lots of different ways and change the type of map tiles (terrain which is the default map style, road map and satellite).

The sidebar on the left has also changed.  Although everyone likes the icons on the site, there were so many in the grid it was actually hard to spot what you wanted.  With the new groupings and larger text it is simpler and easier to choose which layers and pages you want to see.

Lost Property

Regular visitors will have noticed that we have removed the property layer on the map.  This is a permanent change.  The idea with the propety layer was that it would be a way to get more visitors and that when people were moving, that transport would be something they took into account when choosing a property.

Although this layer initially got more visitors than the bus layer, times changed and the transport layers became more popular while the property market has not been doing so well.  Although that market is picking up the decision was made that the benefit to the site did not warrant the effort it takes to keep the information up to date.  So sadly it was time to move on.

New Layer

With the new interface came a new layer for Bristol City Council's Central Area Action Plan survey.  You can read more about this on the Ask Bristol site.   Basically the council needs to have a long term plan for how the city centre should develop so that as things get built or opportunities arise, these things will bring the greatest benefit to the people who work and live in the city.

By adding your comments to the map you can help steer this plan and make sure the plan reflects the views and interests of real people in the city.

Unfinished Business

Bristolstreets has been changing and evolving over nearly four years now and there is more to come.  Getting the changes you already see took a lot of effort and there has not been much time since mid April to add things from a long wish list that we have.  But be assured more is on its way.

Thanks for your patience and patronage.

About the Quiet Spaces Map Layer

Bristol City Council want to know what areas in the city you go to for peace and quiet from traffic noise and If you can identify potential solutions to noise pollution in some areas.

Click an area on the map that you would like to comment on. You can also click on other pin points that are already on the map to agree or disagree with other people's choices.

This consultation builds on the noise map launched in June 2008. This is the coloured layer on the map. DEFRA is in the process of developing a noise action plan for major UK cities, including Bristol, and what you tell us here will inform and shape the forthcoming action plan.

You can also go to www.askbristol.com to give your views on how traffic noise affects you and what they would like done about it.

Noise pollution is a health issue as it causes sleep problems, can cause early death due to stress - induced heart disease and is a source of annoyance for 35% of people in the city.

This map is part of an EU funded project called Citizenscape which enables you to influence the implementation of European Noise Directive in Bristol.

Also see more detailed instructions for addding markers.

Adding Markers to the Quiet Spaces Map

Bristol is a great place to live and part of that are the many areas of quiet and tranquility that can be found tucked away from the busy streets. It would take a lifetime to find them all, but now this map will allow you to find the spots that other people have found and for you to tell others about the ones you know about.

This survey also wants to know about spaces that could potentially be quiet if small changes were made like adding sound barriers like hedges or fences or by using traffic calming.

Check for existing markers

Before adding a new place, look at the places already on the map.  If you know something about a space that has already been identified on the map, it would be better for you to add a comment to that marker rather than creating a new marker.

Position markers accurately

If you are adding a marker, try and place it as accurately as possible.  It may help to zoom in on the map.  Use the zoom controls in the top left of the page in the control strip. (e.g. click the word “in” in at the top of the page to zoom in by one level.)

Filling in the form

When you click the map a marker input form opens to allow you to enter details of the spot you have clicked.  First you much choose from the popup menu whether the marker is for somewhere that is already a “quiet place” or somewhere that “could be quiet”.

You can optionally enter your name which will be displayed on the marker.  You must enter your email address which will not be displayed to the public, but will allow the council to send you a message about the Citizenscape project.  It won’t mean you get added to any regular mailing lists.

Add your comments in the main box and click “save” if you are finished.

Adding pictures and movies

If you want to add a picture or a movie to the marker you should click the “add media” button instead of the “save” button.  This saves your text comments and then allows you to choose an image on your hard disk to upload. 

Pictures need to be in a supported format (jpg, gif, png or wbmp) and must be under 2Mb in size.  The image will be reduced in size so that the largest dimension is 800 pixels.  Most image library software these days helps you export reasonable size images. 

You can also upload short movies which will appear in the info window of your marker.  Check the “open movie upload window” checkbox and click the “save” button.  This will open a window that allows you to select a movie on your hard disk.  By opening a separate window, you can start the upload and then continue using the site without having to wait for the upload to finish.  Movies are hosted at YouTube so the size and format restrictions of that site apply to movies uploaded here.

Cycle Survey for Improving Bristol Network

Bristol City Council is working to improve cycling facilities but to do this more effectively, they want input from you, the people who actually use the facilities, to help ensure that the funding is spent in the most effective way possible.

You can add new markers to the map with comments to highlight areas which are good for cyclists and to suggest places where new facilities could be located. This could be a need for cycle parking, cycle lanes, cycle access or contra flows in one way systems, or other things.

The Council will consider this feedback when its planning its cycle projects and other schemes but obviously budgets are limited so it will not be possible to act on all ideas or comments.

To add a new comment, go to the Bicycles section of the map, click anywhere on the map (not on existing marker) to open up the info window and fill in the mini form.  If you click an existing comment marker you can click the "Add Comment" link to add an additional comment to the existing ones.

You can also share your knowledge of good cycling routes by adding a route line to your marker. To do this click the "Add a cycle route to the map" button in the side bar and then click on the map to add segments of a line.  When you have finished adding your line click the Save Line button in the side bar and then fill in details of the line just like on other types of comment.

This comment system is to improve the cycle facilities generally. But for defective highway structures and maintenance issues. (e.g pot holes, broken glass, blocked drains, obstructions, broken street lighting etc.) it will be better to contact the council's customer services and report these things so that they can be dealt with rather than adding markers to this site. There are on line forms for reporting problems or you can contact them by email or phone.

BCC Road Maintenance

customer.services@bristol.gov.uk

Customer Services: 0117 922 3838