Toby Wells 💚
@tobywells.bsky.social
Green party councillor for Knowle, Bristol.
Passionate about transport, planning & sustainability.
Passionate about transport, planning & sustainability.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
Green councillors are supporting the introduction of direct trains to Oxford, with an open letter to GWR.
“These services will offer improved connectivity to and from our city, enabling and incentivising more of our residents to make sustainable long-distance journeys,” says @tobywells.bsky.social
“These services will offer improved connectivity to and from our city, enabling and incentivising more of our residents to make sustainable long-distance journeys,” says @tobywells.bsky.social
Direct trains from Bristol to Oxford to start running again
If successful the services could eventually be made permanent
www.bristolpost.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Green councillors are supporting the introduction of direct trains to Oxford, with an open letter to GWR.
“These services will offer improved connectivity to and from our city, enabling and incentivising more of our residents to make sustainable long-distance journeys,” says @tobywells.bsky.social
“These services will offer improved connectivity to and from our city, enabling and incentivising more of our residents to make sustainable long-distance journeys,” says @tobywells.bsky.social
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
We've been making steady steps forward in recent years, but now we need to take a huge stride. The political stage is set for a real alternative that challenges the elites and gives power to the people. We need to grab it with both hands with @zackpolanski.bsky.social as our next Green Party leader!
July 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
We've been making steady steps forward in recent years, but now we need to take a huge stride. The political stage is set for a real alternative that challenges the elites and gives power to the people. We need to grab it with both hands with @zackpolanski.bsky.social as our next Green Party leader!
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
Local Councillor Ellie Freeman and I were pleased to see the Festival Way reopened after a long closure (with a well signed diversion route). It’s been done to a good standard, with a bat corridor and lots of trees. Although it could have been widened beyond 3m.
April 2, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Local Councillor Ellie Freeman and I were pleased to see the Festival Way reopened after a long closure (with a well signed diversion route). It’s been done to a good standard, with a bat corridor and lots of trees. Although it could have been widened beyond 3m.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
♻️ Bristol City Council are set to spend more money on tackling street litter and flytipping. ♻️
Green Council Leader, Tony Dyer, confirms that the Green Led Council will listen to the public and inject much needed investment into tackling street cleanliness.
Green Council Leader, Tony Dyer, confirms that the Green Led Council will listen to the public and inject much needed investment into tackling street cleanliness.
February 19, 2025 at 8:23 AM
♻️ Bristol City Council are set to spend more money on tackling street litter and flytipping. ♻️
Green Council Leader, Tony Dyer, confirms that the Green Led Council will listen to the public and inject much needed investment into tackling street cleanliness.
Green Council Leader, Tony Dyer, confirms that the Green Led Council will listen to the public and inject much needed investment into tackling street cleanliness.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
The world did not end when the bridge was closed for two years between 2015 & 17.
Twenty-four thousand pedestrians and cyclists use it daily; those numbers will only increase if motor vehicles are excluded.
Bonus: the bridge will need a lot less maintenance!
Twenty-four thousand pedestrians and cyclists use it daily; those numbers will only increase if motor vehicles are excluded.
Bonus: the bridge will need a lot less maintenance!
This would be a big improvement when walking with the kids
Agree with @tobywells.bsky.social that current layout is a poor use of space:
“Prince Street Bridge carries far more pedestrians and cyclists than it does people in private motor vehicles, but they’re squeezed into a much smaller space”
Agree with @tobywells.bsky.social that current layout is a poor use of space:
“Prince Street Bridge carries far more pedestrians and cyclists than it does people in private motor vehicles, but they’re squeezed into a much smaller space”
Busy bridge over Bristol harbour could close to cars
Councillors were split on whether the closure would be a good idea
www.bristolpost.co.uk
February 19, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The world did not end when the bridge was closed for two years between 2015 & 17.
Twenty-four thousand pedestrians and cyclists use it daily; those numbers will only increase if motor vehicles are excluded.
Bonus: the bridge will need a lot less maintenance!
Twenty-four thousand pedestrians and cyclists use it daily; those numbers will only increase if motor vehicles are excluded.
Bonus: the bridge will need a lot less maintenance!
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
This would be a big improvement when walking with the kids
Agree with @tobywells.bsky.social that current layout is a poor use of space:
“Prince Street Bridge carries far more pedestrians and cyclists than it does people in private motor vehicles, but they’re squeezed into a much smaller space”
Agree with @tobywells.bsky.social that current layout is a poor use of space:
“Prince Street Bridge carries far more pedestrians and cyclists than it does people in private motor vehicles, but they’re squeezed into a much smaller space”
Busy bridge over Bristol harbour could close to cars
Councillors were split on whether the closure would be a good idea
www.bristolpost.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This would be a big improvement when walking with the kids
Agree with @tobywells.bsky.social that current layout is a poor use of space:
“Prince Street Bridge carries far more pedestrians and cyclists than it does people in private motor vehicles, but they’re squeezed into a much smaller space”
Agree with @tobywells.bsky.social that current layout is a poor use of space:
“Prince Street Bridge carries far more pedestrians and cyclists than it does people in private motor vehicles, but they’re squeezed into a much smaller space”
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
About that claim that #Bristol is selling 1200 council homes...
Let’s set the record straight about some misleading social housing chat shall we…
Read the council’s full response here: www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Read the council’s full response here: www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
January 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM
About that claim that #Bristol is selling 1200 council homes...
WECA Scrutiny meeting is coming up on Monday 27th Jan. This time we have some scrutiny specific papers on:
🚍 Bus Franchising
👩🏫 Adult skills programmes
I'd really appreciate comments and Qs from the public submitted to the meeting!
westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...
🚍 Bus Franchising
👩🏫 Adult skills programmes
I'd really appreciate comments and Qs from the public submitted to the meeting!
westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...
Agenda for West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Monday, 27th January, 2025, 10.30 am - Modern Council
westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk
January 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
WECA Scrutiny meeting is coming up on Monday 27th Jan. This time we have some scrutiny specific papers on:
🚍 Bus Franchising
👩🏫 Adult skills programmes
I'd really appreciate comments and Qs from the public submitted to the meeting!
westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...
🚍 Bus Franchising
👩🏫 Adult skills programmes
I'd really appreciate comments and Qs from the public submitted to the meeting!
westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...
Working my way through the devolution white paper.
It looks like the mismanagement of WECA over the past years means it won't be able to have greater control of its budget (integrated settlement) or greater levels of devolution.
It looks like the mismanagement of WECA over the past years means it won't be able to have greater control of its budget (integrated settlement) or greater levels of devolution.
December 17, 2024 at 7:40 AM
Working my way through the devolution white paper.
It looks like the mismanagement of WECA over the past years means it won't be able to have greater control of its budget (integrated settlement) or greater levels of devolution.
It looks like the mismanagement of WECA over the past years means it won't be able to have greater control of its budget (integrated settlement) or greater levels of devolution.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
It's brilliant news that more transport powers will be devolved. Local politicians know best what's needed & how to integrate the options locally. Now we need a mayor who will show leadership on this, which is something we've not seen from Labour.
Metro mayors to control rail services under unprecedented England devolution plans
White paper paves way for London-style contactless-payment travel networks and unitary authorities to replace two-tier county and district councils
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2024 at 12:57 PM
It's brilliant news that more transport powers will be devolved. Local politicians know best what's needed & how to integrate the options locally. Now we need a mayor who will show leadership on this, which is something we've not seen from Labour.
My maiden speech today in the council chamber was about openness and transparency. The new committee model sets us up in good stead, but we are still not getting it right all the time. Culture shift is required across the council, for both officers and elected members.
December 10, 2024 at 6:30 PM
My maiden speech today in the council chamber was about openness and transparency. The new committee model sets us up in good stead, but we are still not getting it right all the time. Culture shift is required across the council, for both officers and elected members.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
The biggest obstacle to building more homes (that people can actually afford - that part always gets left out!) is not council planning committees.
It's the systematic underfunding and weakening of local authorities, and Labour is to blame just as much as the Tories.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's the systematic underfunding and weakening of local authorities, and Labour is to blame just as much as the Tories.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Planning reforms will end development chaos, says Angela Rayner
Officials will be able to rubberstamp development plans without local authority permission under the changes.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM
The biggest obstacle to building more homes (that people can actually afford - that part always gets left out!) is not council planning committees.
It's the systematic underfunding and weakening of local authorities, and Labour is to blame just as much as the Tories.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's the systematic underfunding and weakening of local authorities, and Labour is to blame just as much as the Tories.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
In this coverage we also hear from @tobywells.bsky.social directly www.bristol247.com/news-and-fea...
December 7, 2024 at 9:26 AM
In this coverage we also hear from @tobywells.bsky.social directly www.bristol247.com/news-and-fea...
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
Brilliant story about victory for people power pushing back against developers in Knowle. Super proud of my Green Cllr colleagues @edplowden.bsky.social who took an early stand and @tobywells.bsky.social and Cam Hayward who have worked hard for this outcome. www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
'Victory for people power' as Broadwalk compromise deal done
The shopping centre WILL be demolished and 'Redcatch Quarter' built, but scaled back after residents took the council to court
www.bristolpost.co.uk
December 6, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Brilliant story about victory for people power pushing back against developers in Knowle. Super proud of my Green Cllr colleagues @edplowden.bsky.social who took an early stand and @tobywells.bsky.social and Cam Hayward who have worked hard for this outcome. www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
Hey UK folks, am I missing something? A transport minister with “the most compelling vision for transport that we’d seen in decades” resigns over a pretty irrelevant sounding thing in her past that was resolved and properly reported.
Why do good people resign too easily and bad people never resign?
Why do good people resign too easily and bad people never resign?
Sad news to wake up to. Haigh set out the most compelling vision for transport that we’d seen in decades and demonstrated she understood the need for big reforms to how transport works for people across the UK. Whoever comes next in the role must pick up exactly where she left off
Louise Haigh resigns as UK transport secretary
November 29, 2024 at 7:43 AM
Hey UK folks, am I missing something? A transport minister with “the most compelling vision for transport that we’d seen in decades” resigns over a pretty irrelevant sounding thing in her past that was resolved and properly reported.
Why do good people resign too easily and bad people never resign?
Why do good people resign too easily and bad people never resign?
Transport secretary announces a progressive transport agenda, then "resigns" the next day over a minor misdemeanor from a decade ago which was already known about...
in case you’re just waking up, UK transport secretary Louise Haigh has resigned over a phone offence from a decade ago
some will be wondering who would want to take out one of the most left-wing members of the cabinet
www.ft.com/content/1c8b...
some will be wondering who would want to take out one of the most left-wing members of the cabinet
www.ft.com/content/1c8b...
Louise Haigh resigns as UK transport secretary over phone offence
Labour MP admitted pleading guilty a decade ago to a minor offence over a phone she falsely reported as stolen
www.ft.com
November 29, 2024 at 8:05 AM
Transport secretary announces a progressive transport agenda, then "resigns" the next day over a minor misdemeanor from a decade ago which was already known about...
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
There are so many questions to be asked about this. Greens asked for the meeting to be webcast as there is significant public interest in understanding whether this is incompetence, cronyism or corruption - but we were told no. I worry about the impact it is having on trust in local politicians.
A one-page report to the Audit Committee at Bristol City Council outlines the results of its investigations into the council's 'Stepping Up' programme over the past 6 years.
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Council 'didn't follow its own rules' over companies' £600,000 contracts
Report reveals the ex deputy mayor used different name when registering as a director
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 23, 2024 at 11:14 AM
There are so many questions to be asked about this. Greens asked for the meeting to be webcast as there is significant public interest in understanding whether this is incompetence, cronyism or corruption - but we were told no. I worry about the impact it is having on trust in local politicians.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
What is just as worrying is that we were asked to submit our questions on this *in advance*. There is no constitutional process for this and it stinks of trying to limit scrutiny of this decision by the previous Labour administration.
Greens will be robustly challenging this in committee.
Greens will be robustly challenging this in committee.
There are so many questions to be asked about this. Greens asked for the meeting to be webcast as there is significant public interest in understanding whether this is incompetence, cronyism or corruption - but we were told no. I worry about the impact it is having on trust in local politicians.
A one-page report to the Audit Committee at Bristol City Council outlines the results of its investigations into the council's 'Stepping Up' programme over the past 6 years.
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
November 23, 2024 at 12:10 PM
What is just as worrying is that we were asked to submit our questions on this *in advance*. There is no constitutional process for this and it stinks of trying to limit scrutiny of this decision by the previous Labour administration.
Greens will be robustly challenging this in committee.
Greens will be robustly challenging this in committee.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
A one-page report to the Audit Committee at Bristol City Council outlines the results of its investigations into the council's 'Stepping Up' programme over the past 6 years.
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Council 'didn't follow its own rules' over companies' £600,000 contracts
Report reveals the ex deputy mayor used different name when registering as a director
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 22, 2024 at 12:26 PM
A one-page report to the Audit Committee at Bristol City Council outlines the results of its investigations into the council's 'Stepping Up' programme over the past 6 years.
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Read the full story here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
We have an emergency protocol in Bristol when the weather gets this cold.
Being out in sub zero temperatures often results in death, here’s everything you need to know about what to do when you see someone sleeping out & rough.
Action will save lives
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Being out in sub zero temperatures often results in death, here’s everything you need to know about what to do when you see someone sleeping out & rough.
Action will save lives
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol activated in Bristol
Extra accommodation will be made available to ensure homeless people do not have to sleep on the streets
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 8:17 AM
We have an emergency protocol in Bristol when the weather gets this cold.
Being out in sub zero temperatures often results in death, here’s everything you need to know about what to do when you see someone sleeping out & rough.
Action will save lives
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Being out in sub zero temperatures often results in death, here’s everything you need to know about what to do when you see someone sleeping out & rough.
Action will save lives
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Great to see this legislation coming forward, WECA needs to be gearing up to take advantage of it ASAP.
November 17, 2024 at 12:08 PM
Great to see this legislation coming forward, WECA needs to be gearing up to take advantage of it ASAP.
From @edplowden.bsky.social :
“I would like to see the metro mayor do what some of the other combined authority mayors have done: announce that they’ll use their own funding to maintain the £2 fare cap." (1/2)
“I would like to see the metro mayor do what some of the other combined authority mayors have done: announce that they’ll use their own funding to maintain the £2 fare cap." (1/2)
November 17, 2024 at 10:52 AM
From @edplowden.bsky.social :
“I would like to see the metro mayor do what some of the other combined authority mayors have done: announce that they’ll use their own funding to maintain the £2 fare cap." (1/2)
“I would like to see the metro mayor do what some of the other combined authority mayors have done: announce that they’ll use their own funding to maintain the £2 fare cap." (1/2)
A glitch has occurred in Totterdown. Nothing to see here. Please move on.
November 16, 2024 at 3:50 PM
A glitch has occurred in Totterdown. Nothing to see here. Please move on.
Reposted by Toby Wells 💚
Yes! Some more Bristol Green councillors have arrived here 😄
Please follow @lisastone70.bsky.social & @is0belrussell.bsky.social!
Please follow @lisastone70.bsky.social & @is0belrussell.bsky.social!
November 16, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Yes! Some more Bristol Green councillors have arrived here 😄
Please follow @lisastone70.bsky.social & @is0belrussell.bsky.social!
Please follow @lisastone70.bsky.social & @is0belrussell.bsky.social!
Well done to everyone involved in the investigation and the court case. I hope the families can take some comfort in knowing that justice has been done, although of course nothing can compensate for the loss of the 2 boys.
BREAKING: All 5 defendants accused of the double murder of Max DIxon and Mason Rist in South Bristol in January have been found GUILTY of both murders
Latest updates here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Latest updates here:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Bristol double murder trial updates as jury deliver GUILTY verdicts
The jury has returned its verdicts
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 15, 2024 at 4:05 PM
Well done to everyone involved in the investigation and the court case. I hope the families can take some comfort in knowing that justice has been done, although of course nothing can compensate for the loss of the 2 boys.