RPS Bristol

In a moment of vanity I thought about applying for a distinction from the RPS, but checking their website all assessment days will be held at their new HQ in The Paintworks, Bristol. One small car park for the whole development with 3 hour max. parking, nothing for the HQ building at all, so parking elsewhere and using a bus or taxi. Brilliant. Train routes do not connect with where I live other than a tortuous skip around the country with three changes so not viable. People coming from all over the country but nowhere to park, what precious idiot thought this was a good location? So the only option is to cart your portfolio of mounted photos on public transport. Maybe not really a topic for this forum but I just had to let off steam.

It's good to vent at times,
Its great to see the thought and effort that goes into the placing of these centres. 🙄🙄🙄

You have started me off now. I was in London last week for lunch, and thought I would get a cab from Waterloo to Farringdon. Only a couple of miles and should take 10 minutes in a cab at midday.

Not any more. The cycle highways have taken over in London. It was a crawl for the whole of the 30 minutes it took. The frustrating trip did allow me to get a good view of the cycle lane on Blackfriars bridge, which has cut the width of the road in half. I saw one cycle use it while buses, taxis, delivery vans and cars were in a never ending jam.

it used to be that cycles and taxis could use bus lanes, but now these wide swathes of cycle lanes are empty outside of rush hour. i am all for restricting personal car use in central London, but penalising buses and taxis is madness.

Re. the original post...I believe Bristol is not known for being car friendly...great for people who don't drive but not so good for car owners.

Probably somebody who has a degree in something not related to photography.

Nor planning by the looks of it.

Parking at the earlier RPS HQ in Bath was no better. I went for a distinction there in 2011 and managed to leave my car at the B and B which was near the 'Royal,' but God help anyone carrying heavy print cases travelling into the city by car or public transport. I once used park and ride from Cribs Landing in Bristol, or is it Cribbs Quay, but it took ages as the bus went right round the suburbs.
David

Actually I thought the RPS held distinction assessment and advisory days at various regional locations, not always at their HQ. There have been some on Tyneside and I know there have also been some at Bridge of Allen near Stirling, not much use if you live in Eastern England or Inverness though.
David

Hi Rob... sorry to hear that... am a Bristol resident myself... you should be able to park across the road and up the hill from the Paintworks in Totterdown (pretty sure it doesn’t have a residents parking scheme)... 5 to 10 or so mins walk away if that’s any use...

Best

Thanks David, Central was nearest to me but it now looks as if all assessments are at HQ now, Central has none at all in next year’s calendar.

Thanks Bill, I was scrutinising Google maps and looking at that area, my only concern is that as more Paintworks buildings become operational then the streets will soon fill up!

I agree, nothing worse than getting a taxi from Marylebone, getting as far as High Street and coming to a standstill with the meter clicking away. I took to walking my two mile journey more when the weather was kind.