Clifton Down shopping centre hit the headlines when Top Gear’s ex-Stig was pictured outside the mall in Whiteladies Road.

Ben Collins, who is best known as the white-suited former Stig on the BBC TV show motoring programme, is one of many road users complaining of problems since the pavements were widened at a pedestrian crossing.

Bristol-based Ben, pictured right, appeared on the front page of the Bristol Post protesting about the work which is part of the £78m Greater Bristol Bus Network project to improve 10 bus routes across Greater Bristol.

The Stig said: “The changes are hideous. The pavement was wide enough before. Now what you’ve got is a bottleneck which is causing huge traffic jams – it’s a choke point and it’s horrendous. Only a non-motorist could possibly have designed it. It really is moronic."

Greater Bristol Bus Network’s transport director Peter Mann said: “The aim is to improve bus reliability while reducing overall levels of traffic congestion. Many of the new measures not only benefit buses but also motorists, due to the new traffic signal technology that is designed to improve traffic flow.”

He said the pedestrian crossing had been made smaller to reduce the time traffic has to wait for people to cross.

Mark Wilmut, who manages the Clifton Colour photo shop in Clifton Down shopping centre, said: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The road didn’t need anything doing to it – what a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Mrs K Warwick, the latest winner of the Specsavers ‘above and beyond’ charity raffle, receives her prize. She won the cost of her spectacles back.

In the second photo is Mr K Rakesh, who won Specsavers free raffle competition to win a free balloon ride with Bristol Balloons.

The winner of our Christmas hamper was Dr Graham Hooper who owns the dental practice on Alma Road next to the centre.

Tickets went on sale in the shopping centre on December 1 for the chance to win the hamper with all proceeds from the competition going to the Jessie May charity, the Bristol-based organisation which provides nursing care at home for children and young people with life limiting conditions.

The total raised from the sale of tickets was £192.11.

Since Jessie May was founded in 1996 it has supported more than 170 children and their families in the Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset area.

Phoebe Bashir, the winner of the Specsavers 'above and beyond' charity raffle from the beginning of November, receives her prize.

She won the cost of her spectacles back.

Clifton Down shopping centre at the heart of the community in Whiteladies Road  is a one-stop destination where you can shop for groceries, treat yourself or a loved-one to flowers, get your eyes tested, pick up a prescription or simply relax with friends over a coffee.

Whether shopping for essential daily items or looking for something for him, her, or the children, Clifton Down fits the bill. With a cash machine at Sainsbury’s and a travelator linking the mall with the 350 space car park, carrying your purchases to the car is even easier.

Click the link in the panel on the right for parking information.